10 Valuable Lessons I learnt in IIM Kashipur

Most of us pursue an MBA degree in the hopes of increasing our pay and improving our job prospects. While graduating from a reputable business school ensures these and other benefits, most MBAs look back fondly on their college days and remember aspects other than business and management studies. Every B-school alum will attest to the fact that these non-business lessons later prove to be invaluable and will help them navigate real-world problems!

First, let me just say that I’m blown away at how fast these two years went by; they told us it would be fast, but not like this. In these two years, I pushed my limits (mentally, physically, and emotionally), I met some of the brightest people, and I learned what I was made of. Before I get too nostalgic, here are my ten musings that I’ve mused over in the past two years:

1. Your peers will teach you just as much as your professors, if not more.

The professors at IIM Kashipur are nothing short of extraordinary. While they taught me a lot, it was my other classmates and teammates who taught me more about myself and how to put my best foot forward, and who truly encouraged me to appreciate the diversity of viewpoints in the classroom. When you work closely with your peers, you learn a lot about how to collaborate and what good work looks like. That is not something a professor can teach you. I am grateful to everyone I have worked with for this. The importance of peer learning cannot be overstated.

2. Effective communication has incredible power.

The numerous group projects ensure that every MBA student masters the art of communicating effectively with one another, and group presentations will dispel any fear that they may have! These soft skills can help you effectively pitch a new product concept to the management of your future company. As a result, communication is critical, and the finest B-schools recognize this and provide value-added courses on communication and personality development as part of their MBA curriculum.

Throughout the year, the people I've seen successful are those who know how to communicate with those around them, build trust, and smile:) It is how you speak, present yourself, react to others, make others feel, and carry yourself. In my opinion, mastering these talents is what will help you achieve. More than just creating a decision tree or running a regression (Sorry can't control my urge to mention these terms being an Analytics student)

This picture is from my last case study competition where we represented IIM Kashipur as Team Bizdom and won National Runners up award. Case study competitions have been pivotal in making my foundation, and communication skills strong.

3. Teamwork makes the dream work

MBA courses at reputable B-schools would include a variety of projects, case studies, group discussions in student bodies, and presentations, all of which demand you to work as a team to attain a common goal - namely, to be the best team that scores the highest. Anyone with an MBA will reminisce about the days (and hours) they spent with their teams crafting that presentation or business strategy. Those were the days when you understood that "none of us is as smart as all of us," and you learned the value of working as a team.

Your team might also serve as a support system for you. Build strong, positive relationships with your team members, even if not everyone on your team will be your greatest buddy. It will make tasks much easier, team meetings more enjoyable, and your college experience more memorable. The one or two quality friends I made in each of my teams kept me calm, made me feel like I belonged, and were there for me when I needed them most.

This picture has members of my student body named the Media and Public Relations Committee.

4. Stay Mentally and Physically healthy!

Business school will keep you incredibly busy — initially with classes and assignments, then with placement preparations, and finally with student body activities that add on since you'll want to get involved with some of the excellent student organizations. Life might be difficult, so don't overwork yourself. Take some time to unwind, recoup, and rejuvenate. One must begin to recognize that the MBA experience should be about balance, not excessive cramming that leads to burnout. Take only what you can provide with complete dedication and willpower.

5. Not everyone will believe in you, so make sure that you believe in yourself.

Take in whatever you can from folks who have good outlooks and a real desire to make the world a better place. Don't waste your time and energy on folks who have dubious or ludicrous beliefs. I've learned that not everyone will see your vision for yourself, and not everyone will believe in you, so surround yourself with people who will encourage, believe in, and support you. "If you want to bury a big dream, tell it to small-minded people," Steve Harvey once stated.

6. You need to make some tough decisions as you can't do it all!

Business school will teach you about the trade-offs that businesses must make, such as choosing between a cost advantage and a product differentiation strategy. However, you will learn how to make trade-offs in your own life. You should think about why you're in the program - is it to get straight A's? Should I engage in networking? To socialize with others? Maybe all you need to do this week is catch up on sleep and exercise. You will never be able to do everything, so please make sure that what you DO end up doing is what you want, not what you assume your peers want.

Also, It's not a matter of working harder; it's a matter of doing better. Work on being better rather than just working harder. Keep your mind for feedback and constructive criticism.

7. Take Breaks and avoid FOMO

FOMO’ (Fear Of Missing Out) is the word that is most strongly associated with the MBA experience.·I feel happy that I never did anything out of FOMO but I saw many people around me being a victim of it. Do not rush after everything, be selective. Before signing up ask yourself are you genuinely interested or is it just FOMO driving you. Do not judge your success in comparison to others, look at where you were and where you are now, if there is progress it is enough.

If needed, take small breaks and analyze things at your own pace. It helps.

8. Don't miss class or special events unless necessary.

You might simply miss out on a life-changing activity or learning. You're in school to learn, after all. Don't ignore it (unless you have a legitimate cause)

Also, because this program is only two years long, you will only be able to attend the exciting events twice. My point is that two years isn't a long time, so take advantage of being present in classroom discussions and social gatherings, because you'll only regret what you didn't do.

P.S. Reapply point 7 here.

This is me enjoying the paper dance with my best friend in college.

9. Learn, Grow and Absorb. Be a sponge.

What's the point of earning an MBA? To advance my career, to improve my game, expand my network, and, most importantly, to learn. I entered the school with a Computer Science degree, so terms like blue ocean strategy, and Ansoff Matrix were all new to me. There was so much to take in and learn that I was taking it all like a sponge. I can assure you that there is something for everyone to learn in business school, even if you have a bachelor's degree in business. All you have to do is be open to it.

10. Enjoy the journey

These 2 years are the most precious ones. Make sure you give your 1000% to it while enjoying the journey. Study and work hard so that you can party much harder. That's what we do in MBA.

This is my closest group of friends who made my MBA experience a little more enriching and enjoyable.

The folks I've met here are intelligent and motivating, and they're completely on my side. Every day, I am challenged by the varied ideas I encounter in the classroom. I'm sad that it's over, but I'm ecstatic about the next chapter of my life, which will begin shortly.

If you're thinking about going to business school, I hope this post has convinced you to do so!?