As an MBA aspirant 6-7 odd months back, I was working hard to get into a top B-School, fat pay package being one of the main reasons. Everything looked so glossy, just getting through written exam was what in my mind. After getting through the written exam, next big thing ahead of me was clearing interviews and group discussions. Finally, all my efforts helped me get a seat in BIM, Trichy.

I had a month and a half before I had to join the institute. The happiness of achievement reigned over me and I wanted to enjoy that moment like anything completely unaware as to what is waiting for me. Being from North India, joining a college in South was in itself a good enough reason to be so excited. I was quite well prepared to meet any language barriers.

Finally, the day arrived when I had to bid bye to all my relatives and friends and start for a new journey of my life. I was feeling excited and proud of my achievement and could easily visualize the day I get good placement with good pay. When I reached the hostel, I started getting to know my classmates who came from varied backgrounds. Some did B.Com., some did engineering, some were doctors and many more. The first day in a B-school was in itself a special feeling. Immediately after registration, I got the first shock of my life at B-School in the form of a case on decision-modeling even before any class, which had to be submitted by the next morning. At first, I thought a case even before any class is something impossible. But when I saw others putting in efforts to reach to a solution, I had to do something. We had to form a group of five on our own which was a Herculean as well as a learning task for all of us on the very first day. After forming the group, we could finally arrive at a solution only by 2:00 am.

The second shock came when we got the schedule of the week ahead of us. I could see classes from 8:00 am in the morning to 9:00 pm in the night. It took me some time to digest this. And to add this, we had continuous lectures of a single faculty for as long as four hours. Boy, I never had a lecture of any professor for more than an hour in my entire life. To top it all, the shift of my diet from north Indian dishes to south Indian dishes made me buy a pack of "Pudin Hara". Thanks to the supporting seniors who helped us a lot from time to time whenever we needed them.

Next

* Contributed by -
Mayur Mayank,
PGP-I (2004-06),
BIM, Trichy.