Just when I finished climbing five flights of stairs after a hectic day of work, I received a call from Lindsay Lipmann at 9:25 PM telling me about my acceptance. I was ecstatic with joy as well as terrified about what was to come. Fast forward to today: I sit in the sunny love quadrangle at Ivey, penning down my first three months at Ivey. Embarking on an MBA journey at Ivey has been nothing short of transformative. As I reflect on the first three months, three pivotal learnings stand out:
It’s Not a Sprint, but a Marathon
From day one, the pace and intensity of the MBA program can feel overwhelming. The flurry of new faces and information, networking events, a new geography (in my case), and your first learning team (Go Mambo #5) make it easy to fall into the trap of trying to tackle everything at once. It can get overwhelming; however, this is where you tell yourself to inhale and exhale deeply and learn to pace yourself.
This experience is not about immediate results but about sustained growth and development over time. With patience and budding friendships, one eventually learns how to balance academics, self-care, social commitments, and, most importantly, sleep. Hence, the MBA is not a sprint but a marathon. As time passes, you start appreciating the need for endurance, patience, and color-coded calendars. This perspective shift has allowed me to prioritize my efforts, focus on long-term goals, and avoid burnout.
Embracing Radical Candor
The concept of Radical Candor has been a revelation. I first heard about it on a popular show called, "Silicon Valley." It’s a communication framework for specific and sincere praise and kind and clear criticism. While learning and unlearning new things, you’ll often find yourself in a multitude of situations where you’ll appreciate your team as well as have days where your perspectives will significantly differ, and conflicts might creep in.
One distinguishable characteristic of a good leader is good communication skills, and this approach has been extremely valuable for me in fostering an atmosphere of trust and respect. By being honest and direct in feedback while showing genuine care for my peers, I’ve seen significant improvements in team dynamics and personal growth. This approach not only enhances our collective performance but also builds a strong support network. It’s a lesson I aspire to take further in my career path.
You’ll Be Okay.
Amid the challenges and uncertainties of an MBA program, it’s easy to succumb to self-doubt and stress. Imposter Syndrome will trickle in and out, and if there is one thing that has echoed across all my coffee chats (trust me, there have been many), it is this: “You’ll be okay.” This simple yet powerful statement has become a cornerstone of my experience at Ivey.
It’s a reminder that while the journey is demanding, you will emerge stronger and wiser as a phoenix. Support from peers and faculty is always available, reinforcing the idea that no challenge is insurmountable.
Whether it’s building your first IKEA chair on your own or facing the Canadian winters, eventually, everything works out. It’s like a rap song you don’t understand at first, but before you know it, you find yourself humming along. It certainly takes time to get used to, but the collective reassurance from the Ivey community has made my first three months memorable.