By Snehal, MBA2025
The first year of my MBA journey felt like a whirlwind, a wild ride that zipped by faster than I could have ever imagined. Reflecting on these past months, I am overcome with emotions, memories, and lessons learned. To borrow from Miss Taylor Swift, it’s miserable and magical – an experience full of highs, lows, and everything in between.
1. It goes by too fast
One of the most bittersweet realities of an MBA is how quickly time slips away. Just as I began to find my footing, the academic year was nearly over, and it was already time to say goodbye to graduating seniors and classmates embarking on internships and exchanges abroad. These departures are a stark reminder that the MBA timeline operates in “dog years” – an accelerated journey where each month packs in the growth and change of an entire year. Before you know it, the experiences you cherish are already turning into memories.
2. Go for it
If there is one mantra that has defined my year, it’s “go for it.” Whether it was signing up to lead 2 big Clubs, strutting down the ramp at a fashion show at MBAT, or choreographing dances, I learned that fear is just a gatekeeper standing between me and endless possibilities. My MBA experience has revealed that the world truly is my oyster—brimming with opportunities if I am willing to step out of my comfort zone. Every challenge I took on rewarded me in ways I never imagined. It is a thrilling realisation that I carry forward, fuelling my confidence as I continue this incredible journey.
3. Self-doubt is real, but so is self-love
My first year was a constant dance between self-doubt and self-love. Moments of rejection and uncertainty hit hard, making me doubt my abilities. But then, those exhilarating “You did it!” moments reminded me of my strength and potential. It has been a crazy ride, filled with highs and lows, but through it all, I have learned to embrace my vulnerabilities and victories. This journey is as much about growth as it is about giving myself the grace to stumble, learn, and rise again.
4. Build your brand
An MBA is the perfect time to build your brand, especially in areas where you need more experience. For me, luxury was an industry I was passionate about but needed to gain more background in. I took full advantage of the opportunities available, from joining the Walpole programme and participating in luxury treks to leading the Retail and Luxury Goods Club. These experiences allowed me to immerse myself in the luxury sector and start crafting my brand. My first year at LBS has been a playground for experimentation – exploring, learning, and defining who I am and how I want to be seen professionally.
5. Embrace the chaos
In juggling endless submissions, club duties, recruitment deadlines, and social commitments, something incredible happens—deep friendships are forged (there’s something to be said about trauma bonding – jk, or not). In the MBA, we vent, cry, and work hard, but we do it together, which makes all the difference. Embracing the chaos also meant accepting that not everything would go as planned, and that is okay. Some of my most meaningful experiences came from unplanned, spontaneous, and chaotic moments.
As I look back on this whirlwind year, I cannot help but wonder, how did it go by so fast? My first year of MBA was a wild ride – chaotic, thrilling, and utterly unforgettable. After all, life’s about embracing the moment because YOLO YOMO — you only do an MBA once!