Dear future MBAs,
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS! You have made it to London Business School, which is no small feat. Getting here required ambition, determination, and probably a few existential career chats. So take a breath. Soak it in. You earned this.
Welcome to arguably the best two years of your life. LBS will challenge your thinking, push how you show up, and quietly reshape what you believe is possible. You have likely read all the glossy brochures, scrolled the rankings, and skimmed your fair share of “5 takeaways from my MBA” blogs (some of which I may have written myself). This, however, is not one of those.
This is the letter I wish someone had given me: honest, candid, and written with heart and hindsight.
● You will feel out of place at times. Everyone does.
You will sit in rooms where people talk in acronyms you don’t know and confidence you wish you had. You may wonder if you truly belong. Let me assure you, you do. The goal is not to catch up but to slow down, listen, and grow into your voice. You do not need to prove yourself; just be yourself.
● Build relationships, not just connections.
People will advise you to network, but few will emphasise the importance of building trust. The individuals who support you when things go awry are the ones who truly matter. Be that person for someone else, too. Because after all is said and done, no one will remember your LinkedIn headline, but they will remember how you made them feel.
● The cliques will form, and yes, it might sting.
People bond quickly (they also break just as fast), and groups often form early. You may feel like everyone has their circle – their crew for every dinner, trek, and outing – while you are left feeling on the outside. It is disorienting and can be lonely, but it will pass. Do not lose yourself in the pursuit of inclusion. Keep showing up, and the right people will find you.
● FOMO is real. So is burnout.
There will always be another trek, another party, another event. Say yes, but more importantly, learn when to say no. Protect your energy. Some of the most meaningful MBA moments will not come from marquee events but from Tuesday night dinners with friends, quiet walks home, or a single conversation that blossoms into a lifelong friendship.
● Take the long way, sometimes.
Not everything needs to be efficient. Or logical. Try something simply because it piques your curiosity. Take the class that intimidates you. Join the club you are not “qualified” for. Do the thing that makes zero sense on paper but feels right in your gut. Your MBA is your test lab; make a few messes.
● Your MBA won’t go as planned, and that’s good.
You will arrive with a strategy: pivot industries, build your network, land your dream job. Sure, you might achieve all that, but the moments that truly shape you will not appear on any CV. They will be the curveballs: the rejected applications, the electives chosen on a whim, and the 2 a.m. conversations that redefine your understanding of success.
In the end, an MBA is more than a degree; it is a disruption. You will leave LBS more self-aware, humbled, and open than when you started. You won’t have all the answers, but you will ask far better questions.
So, show up. Make mistakes. Capture the moments, even the blurry ones.
Lastly, take everything – including this letter – with a pinch of salt. This is your MBA. Own it. Shape it. Make it yours.
And remember, if you ever feel lost, it is a sign that you are growing.
I will be cheering you on from the other side.
With love,
Snehal
MBA2025