Module 2: Your Expectations & Your Mind Set (Required)

Your attitude plays a key role in your success in this course. As you embark on the journey ahead, you need to align your attitude and expectations with reality and with the demands of this course. Below are our tips for ensuring your success in this program and making this learning experience a rewarding one.

After reading our list of tips, you will be prompted to complete a short reflection exercise.

Activity

My Greatest Challenge

In this activity, you will review Module 2 and reflect on personal mental hurdles you may need to overcome in order to succeed in this course. Identifying potential obstacles is key in forging a pathway to success.

Instructions

  • Review Module 2 and the keys to success we outlined:
  • Overcome Frustration
  • Take Charge of Your Learning
  • Put in the Time
  • Be Patient
  • Get Your Hands Dirty
  • Try Things on Your Own
  • Team Up
  • Think Like a Project Manager
  • Self-Care Is Key
  • Be an Engaged Student
  • Identify which of these you think will be the most challenging for you. Open a Google Doc on Google Drive and write a brief paragraph (about 100 words) describing this personal challenge and the steps you will take to overcome it.
  • Save your Google Doc to your Module 1 subfolder in your pre-work folder.

Get Your Mind Right!

Overcome Frustration

This boot camp will be a challenging experience. For many of you, the skills taught in this program are vastly different from what you've been exposed to before, and you may feel discouraged if concepts and skills don't click right away. Have confidence that you will improve and approach each class as an opportunity to learn something new. Four months from now, you'll marvel at how far you've come.

Take Charge of Your Learning

You will get out of this program what you put into it. That is, in order to succeed, you must take ownership of your learning experience.

Like any craft, Project Management requires diligence, practice and experimentation, and a desire to improve. From Day 1 through Day 120 and beyond, continually remind yourself that you are responsible for your success. We will be here to guide, encourage, facilitate, and provide feedback, but it's up to you to put in the effort.

Put in the Time

As newcomers to the Project Management field, be ready to put in your share of hours in order to master your craft. We've found that the most successful students put in about 20 hours of outside classroom time per week. More challenging topics may require additional hours of study and practice. Most people find it useful to schedule time for doing homework outside of class on their calendar. By having it scheduled people tend to stay more committed to follow through.

Look at this time as an investment in yourself, and know that for every hour you spend, you are securing yourself a better opportunity after graduation.

Be Patient

You won't become a Project Management expert overnight. This is especially important to remember during the first few weeks of class, when you are more likely to feel frustrated. You may not grasp certain concepts immediately, and that's okay. Be patient with the process and with yourself. A topic that confuses you in Week 1 will be second nature by Week 16. Learning a new skill takes time, but rest assured that you will learn.

In addition, be patient when it comes to troubleshooting issues you experience along the way. One of the biggest sources of frustration to new students of Project Management is the amount of time it can take to understand project dynamics. Take whatever comfort you can in the fact that this is completely normal and even valuable. The time you spend working through understanding individual elements of a project is a critical part of the learning process. Each concept of project management that you learn in a lesson adds to your arsenal of knowledge and will better help you to understand how elements of project management dynamically fit together.

Get Your Hands Dirty

This boot camp requires your active participation. You need to attend class, complete the assignments, and watch tutorials. You also need to spend a considerable amount of time outside of class, honing your skills. To succeed in this boot camp, you'll need to do more than read, watch, and follow along. Step away from the sidelines and enter the fray. Work through the problems that stump you and learn from your mistakes. This is the only way to improve and ultimately master these skills.

Try Things on Your Own

"Am I doing this right?" is a question that instructors prefer not to hear. This is not because they are unwilling or unable to help, but because it suggests a lack of confidence on the part of the student. Learn to wipe this question from your mind. Attempt to solve problems on your own, and request assistance from your instructor if you get stuck. Phrase your question like this: "I tried [method A]. It didn't work so I tried [method B], which also didn't work. What should I try now?" Notice the change in tone? Instead of timidly asking for assurance, give yourself permission to try— even if it means failing at first.

Team Up

In this boot camp, you will be asked to collaborate with your classmates to work through assignments and solve problems. Very often, a fresh perspective and another pair of eyes can help you overcome a block or understand a challenging concept. So, form study groups and work with your peers, and learn from each other in the process.

Think like a Project Manager

The key to approaching complex issues in Project Management is thinking like a project manager. Break down the problem in front of you into discrete, bite-sized tasks. Try using visuals to model the problem, use tools such as task lists, to plan your solution. Refer back to your plan as needed. Don't try to bite off everything at once! Once you implement a solution to your problem, verify your solution by checking your work against your plan or reviewing it with a peer.

Self-Care Is Key

The best learning occurs when you take care of your physical and mental needs. This means getting enough sleep and exercise, as well as following a nutritious diet. It also means taking breaks and finding moments to relax. Energized, enthusiastic students make for a more productive, positive class experience.

Be an Engaged Student

In order to succeed in this program, you need to be invested in the learning process. Collaborate with your classmates and join study groups. Continue to build your skills outside class through online research. Do your own work and submit assignments that make you feel proud.

You Can Do This!

This last piece of advice is the most important. Remind yourself each day that you can do this. We've seen students from all backgrounds, experiences, and personal situations persevere and succeed in this program.

There will be challenges ahead. During those times, remind yourself of why you entered the program in the first place. Let this be the fuel to keep you going.

You have everything it takes to learn this craft and to gain the opportunities that come with it. Your future self will thank you.