by Vanya Kumar, MBA1Y
As I step into Term 2 and 3 at London Business School, I’ve been thinking about how much Term 1 impacted me not just professionally, but personally too. Only a few months ago, I was walking into orientation in August 2025, surrounded by 500+ students from all over the world, trying to take it all in.
That first day felt like the beginning of something big and exciting. There was energy everywhere, in the Dean’s address, in conversations with classmates, and in the alumni session that reminded us what this year could become if we leaned into it fully. I remember feeling excited, slightly overwhelmed, and very aware that this year would move fast.
Why LBS, and why the One-year MBA?
Before LBS, I spent over eight years working in e-commerce growth and marketing strategy, building and scaling brands in fast-moving environments. I loved the pace and problem-solving that came with it, but I also knew I wanted to grow into more strategic, globally oriented roles.
LBS felt like the right place for that next step.
Having already completed a previous master’s degree, I came in with a solid grounding in business fundamentals. What drew me specifically to the One-year MBA was its intensity and flexibility. It offered a way to build on my existing experience, sharpen my direction, and tailor the year around what I wanted next, without spending two years out of the workforce.
In many ways, Term 1 has already validated that decision.
The runway before the programme even began
One thing I appreciated about LBS was that the transition into the MBA started well before we arrived on campus.
Our pre-term work included refresher modules in accounting, finance, and data analytics and it helped me get back into student mode and rebuild the academic muscle memory I hadn’t used in a while.
But what stood out even more was the early career support. Through virtual career preparation sessions, the Career Centre helped us start thinking about CVs, networking, alumni outreach, and how to research roles and industries strategically. It made the whole process feel less overwhelming because we weren’t starting from zero on day one.
I also attended the virtual club fair before arriving at LBS, which was a great preview of student life. I got to meet club presidents, understand the different initiatives happening across campus, and even make a few connections before the programme officially started.
Orientation week: fast friendships and firsts
Orientation week was a whirlwind in the best way.
It was packed with introductions, events, and the beginning of friendships that quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my Term 1. One of the highlights was the away day at Wokefield Estate, where we were grouped into teams for outdoor challenges. It was a great way to break the ice where we were solving puzzles, navigating physical team tasks, and figuring out how to work together under pressure.
My personal highlight from the day was rock climbing. I had never tried it before, and it felt a little intimidating, a little messy, but worth doing just for the experience of pushing myself.
The welcome BBQ on campus was another memorable moment full of great food, drinks and interesting conversations. It was relaxed, social, and full of conversations with classmates across both the One-year and flagship MBA programmes.
By the end of orientation, LBS was no longer just a school I had joined, but it was beginning to feel like a place I belonged.
Academic life: familiar foundations, new lenses
Term 1 academics felt both grounding and stretching.
On one hand, some of the core courses were built on concepts I had seen before through work and prior study. On the other hand, LBS pushed those ideas into much broader, more current business contexts. I particularly enjoyed how topics like sustainability were taught, deeply tied to business analysis, decision-making, and long-term strategy. This shift in perspective was valuable. It challenged me to think beyond performance metrics and growth in the short term, and to consider what responsible, resilient business leadership looks like today.
I also started electives in Term 1, and one of the most impactful for me was Paths to Power. It was one of those courses that stays with you because it’s immediately relevant, especially for anyone who wants to lead cross-functional teams or influence without formal authority. It made me think more deeply about stakeholder management, professional presence, and how to build an authentic leadership style.
For someone who has led verticals in an organisation and where influence across teams is constant, this felt especially meaningful.
Beyond the classroom: trying new things
Term 1 also gave me the experience to try new things outside of my previous experience and strengths.
One of my biggest highlights was working on a consulting project with the NHS. It pushed me into a completely different industry and introduced me to a new kind of business challenge. Coming from consumer-facing, fast-growth environments, it was refreshing to apply my thinking in a setting where the context, constraints, and impact looked very different.
I also took part in case competitions, which became another great way to work with classmates from different backgrounds. One of the best parts of the MBA is seeing how differently people think and how much stronger ideas become when those approaches come together.
A standout moment was the AI Agent Hackathon organised by the Data & AI Association, where my team worked on an AI agent to make coffee chats more effective for students. It was a fun, practical project at the intersection of community and technology.
And then there was the Diwali Ball.
Through the India Club, I joined the inter-stream dance competition, something I signed up for fun. It turned out to be one of the most fun experiences of the term, packed with long rehearsals and partying till midnight while celebrating Diwali.
Career exploration: less pressure to decide, more clarity to choose
Career-wise, Term 1 was less about rushing toward applications and more about learning about different career opportunities post-MBA.
I spent time with my career coach and peer advisors, working through my CV and thinking about how my past experience translates into future opportunities. Those conversations were practical and reassuring. LBS also hosted a range of career sessions with alumni across industries and functions. Hearing those journeys firsthand made a big difference. It helped me understand not just job titles, but the realities behind them, what the work looks like, what skills matter, and what kind of path feels right for me. These helped me focus on what I bring to the table while staying open to where the MBA could take me.
The clarity is still evolving, but I ended Term 1 with a much stronger sense of direction than I started with.
Looking back
If I had to summarise my first term in one phrase, it would be this: stretch and settle.
Stretch, because I tried new things and settle because in the middle of all that newness, I found my footing: in the classroom, in friendships, in clubs, and in my career thinking.
And that makes me even more excited for what’s ahead on the programme.