Finally!! I’m done with Fall 1 and Fall 2 semesters! And now, a real break after five months of back-to-back challenges. I honestly can’t remember the last time I lay down on the couch and do nothing, just reading a novel or watching movies hahaha. It wasn’t a marathon-like spirit, but a speed run every day and night! That pretty much sums up my first 5 months in the MBA.
Looking back, it was totally crazy, and I can’t believe I made it through! I learned so many things, but what really stands out in my mind is this: design your own MBA journey, lean on each other, and don’t give up.
Designing your own MBA journey
MBA life feels like a roller coaster, full of activities and opportunities. You can take so many different paths, whether it’s a job, academics, social life, or something else. Everything is packed into one place, and in the end, it’s really up to you to design your own path. That’s also what makes it so challenging. and YES!, the FOMO is real, and you want to try everything, but time doesn’t allow it.
I wasn’t very good at designing my path at the beginning. Honestly, I was in shock because everything hit me at the same time! Imagine stepping out of your house—just the very first step—and having to juggle life immediately: talking, studying, networking, playing. Because of that, there were moments when I felt lost and questioned what I was even doing here.
Luckily, I didn’t stay stuck in that moment for too long. Deep down, I know I came here for academics/business knowledge since I aim to expand my skills from communications to business. No matter what people say about traveling, enjoying life, or recruiting, that’s just not my case.
After that realization, I started managing my life a bit better. I didn’t completely give up my social life or recruiting. I just became more selective based on what mattered most at the time. And you know what? Academics ended up taking almost all my time because understanding business stuff like accounting, stats, econ, and finance was really messed me up, lol.
If someone with a business background takes 1 hour to finish an accounting homework, it takes me 3 hours to get through it. And sometimes, I feels like it kills me instead. T T
So in my opinion the only way to get the best out of the MBA experience is by knowing your goal and designing your own journey.
Lean on each other
Designing our path doesn’t mean we need to go alone. We can lean on each other!
I think what’s great about Fuqua and the people here is that everyone respects each other’s priorities and is willing to support one another whenever needed (Yes #TeamFuqua). There’s no pressure on whichever path we choose.
I remember a time when I was really struggling with the Statistics class. I understood nothing, and it showed in my quiz score. It might have been one of the lowest in the class. What happened after that was amazing. Professor reached out to help me figure out how to handle the class. I had weekly tutoring sessions with the 2nd year student (TA), and my friends also helped explain the concepts to me. What a team here at Fuqua! And eventually, my scores improved, and my final grade was beyond my expectations!
This support isn’t limited to academics, it also extends to recruiting and everyday life in the U.S. I also asked my U.S. friends to teach me how to do small talk and lead conversations. Help is always there, whether from your cohort or 2nd year students, regardless of nationality. You just need to reach out and ask for help.
A question I often get is If I’m so introverted, will I still have friends? Yes, I wondered about it too. From my experience, no matter which path you choose or what kind of personality you have, you will always find friends who share the same vibe as you.
In turn, this experience makes me want to be someone who helps others succeed as well. What a culture we’re building here at Fuqua!
Thank you to all my friends! you guys have been so patient with me!!
Don’t give up
For me, an MBA has allowed me to see the vulnerable parts of myself very clearly. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see this side of me before. My plan was simply to grow and become more professional.
There’s the feeling of not being able to communicate what I really think because of my broken English. The feeling of understanding nothing in class. The feeling of not fully understanding what people are talking about, or the jokes they’re giggling over. I don’t know how to manage small talk. The feeling of not being able to contribute much in class or with friends. And many more feelings that slowly weaken my confidence every day.
I admit that I felt really desperate during those times… until one night at school.
That night, I was studying for my accounting exam. I almost gave up because it totally cooked me up T T. I literally understood nothing. Suddenly, one of my friends stopped by and said, “Don’t give up!”
Those simple words gave me the energy to try one more time and put everything I had to do my best.
“Don’t give up” is actually a very simple phrase, but when we’re very weak inside, we don’t even have the energy to remind ourselves of it. We’re just too fragile.
Thankfully, I have positive friends who always hold me up and help me grow stronger every day.
And you know what? After several months and many experiences, that feeling of vulnerability has slowly disappeared. I feel more confident and stronger, not the best, but significantly better. I believe in myself again, and I know I can handle whatever situations come my way, because ‘I won’t give up’
MBA life is tough, but it’s also fun.
I’ve been away from studying for a long time, so there are many things I need to adjust to. A friend once told me that you won’t see results immediately. In contrast to work, where the pace is so fast, studying is something that slowly flourishes. It may take time, but it will make you much stronger in the long run.
And I can say it now… it is worth it.
like a kid. 