By Vaishnavi Chavali, MiM2026
When I first arrived at London Business School, I knew that study groups were an important part of the learning experience, but I didn’t fully appreciate just how impactful they would be. Our group of six brings together a vibrant mix of nationalities and academic backgrounds: Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese and European perspectives meet in a single room, shaped by experiences in fields ranging from arts and history to statistics and finance. Some of us came straight from university, while others had worked in consulting or in family businesses.
It is a combination that sounds eclectic on paper, but in practice it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at LBS so far.
Collaborating across strengths
From strategy discussions to data heavy assignments and group presentations, we have tackled a wide variety of coursework together. Early in the programme, we also participated in team building exercises that pushed us to plan, communicate clearly and execute tasks under pressure, lessons that still influence how we operate today.
What makes our collaboration work so well is that we genuinely lean into each person’s strengths. Some teammates are natural early morning thinkers, while others come alive creatively at night. A few of us love diving into numbers and building graphs, while others excel at structuring presentations or crafting the narrative. As a result, we often split tasks based on what each person enjoys and does best.
It is a simple approach, but a powerful one, and it has taught me that even when workloads seem intense, the right teamwork makes everything manageable.
A personal learning journey
For me, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone in the group steps up proactively, and when one person is overwhelmed, whether academically or personally, the rest rally around them without hesitation.
One of the biggest lessons I have taken away is that not everything needs to be stressed over. Before LBS, I often felt that every task demanded perfection on the first try. Working with this team has shown me that when people bring different strengths to the table, the pressure naturally distributes. Collaboration allows for more creative thinking, better problem solving, and a healthier approach to challenges.
It is not just an academic exercise; it is reshaping how I think about teamwork and leadership.
The impact of study groups
Beyond completing assignments, our group has helped me feel deeply connected to the LBS community. The diversity of perspectives, cultural, academic and professional, has widened my way of thinking in ways I had not expected. Conversations that begin with coursework often lead to discussions about work psychology, national differences in communication styles, or how family business experiences shape decision making.
The group has also been a source of balance. When the pace gets intense, there is always someone who cracks a joke, someone who brings snacks, or someone who reminds us to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Those small moments matter, they turn a demanding programme into a fulfilling shared experience.
A group with its own rhythm
Like every study group, we have developed our own quirks and routines over time. We tend to meet in the same study room, partly out of habit and partly because one teammate insists it has the “best lighting for productivity.” Someone always has a spreadsheet open, someone else always has a colour coded slide deck, and there is always at least one debate about whether we should plan ahead or embrace last minute inspiration.
But these small rituals are part of what makes the group feel like a team. They remind me that learning at LBS is not only about the content of the courses, it is also about the people beside you, the perspectives they offer, and the shared journey you build together.
A foundation for the future
Looking back at the first months of the programme, I can say confidently that my study group has been one of the defining aspects of my LBS experience. It has taught me to trust in others’ strengths, appreciate different ways of working, and prioritise communication and empathy.
Most importantly, it has shown me that when a team is diverse, supportive and aligned in purpose, no challenge feels too big.
I am grateful for the learning, the balance and the laughter, and I am excited to see where the rest of the year takes us, together.