Soil Mba Life – My One Month Experience

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Soil Mba Life – My One Month Experience

25 Jul 2022
- admin
“Life is a box full of chocolates and you never know what you get”

Tom Hanks in his famous movie ‘Forrest Gump’ said these lines. The same can be said of MBA life – with so much happening around you, so many new experiences and unknown faces – you never know what you may get. College is not only a step higher on your career ladder but also an avenue for you to break free and explore yourself to the maximum of your capabilities.

It can be difficult to settle into college, rising up from the cushioned atmosphere of a job, where you had the experience to handle everything, and had your own social circle to resort to. In MBA, college is a different ball game altogether, it’s a rollercoaster that will make you experience highs and lows, to have you come out stronger and ready to face more challenges of the corporate world.

Well begun is half done? Certainly. If the first month of your college is sorted, your next 1 year can go by with greater ease.

To help you with that ‘ease’ to seep in, here are a few lessons I have picked up:

Friends, Social Circle and the Importance of Networking

In MBA, friends are not just people you hang out with but are also people who can get you to places in the future. In your first month, make sure you talk and seem approachable to everyone around you. Don’t wait for people to come to you, be the ice breaker. Everyone is as nervous as you, but by starting the conversation, you make a good impression (and get a head start on making friends!)

Observe people around you, and try to recognise the ones who are good at your field and make your social circle rich so that you can rely on them for assistance.

Societies, Auditions and Extracurriculars

In SOIL extracurriculars are not only going to come in handy during your college life but later on as well (make your college application and resume stronger).

The college has various clubs of different genres facilitating students of all calibre. SOIL clubs vary from dramatics, dance, theatre, photography to debating, creative writing, digital ninja, manas, etc. In your first month itself, audition and try to get into a SOIL club, since clubs give you a platform to hone your skills to the best and show them off.

Tip- If you are confused about choosing a club or are wondering whether you would be able to manage clubs and academics, get in touch with a member of the clubs to know their structure and working style.

Seniors, Buddies and Mentors

College life can be a cakewalk if you have a senior behind you for support. During the admission process or the first day of college, keep your eyes wide open for a senior who would be willing to help. They can help and guide you in understanding the college system, academics, rules and regulations, and make you aware of the norms of the college.

In our colleges we have the buddy system, wherein the college allots a buddy to everyone and they can rely on them for support.

And external and internal mentors are also assigned for our help to excel in our personal and professional life.

College Exploration, Hangouts and Hideouts

Give your college campus time. After college or during break session, find some mates, and walk around. Make yourself aware of your college – where the auditorium, canteen, library, administrative offices, staff room, etc. are. Make a physical connection with your college and its surroundings.

Apart from what’s inside the college, look out for the popular hangouts, cafes and places where your seniors go to after college. This can benefit you, as you can strengthen your social ties and indulge in discussions with your college mates to make yourself known.

Orientation, First Day and Everything New

Make sure you attend your college and departmental orientation. The college administration gives out information about the academic structure, explains the examination system, grading, subject combinations, books, etc. The orientation is also the first time you will meet and get to know your professors and a great chance to clear all your doubts.

Also, don’t hold back any of your queries!

Attendance, Timetables (and Bunking!)

An MBA is a new life altogether and very different from normal college life. In SOIL, classes happen at regular intervals. For example, on a Monday, you may just have two classes in a day but probably on Tuesday, you might be fully booked from morning till evening.

It’s very important that you understand your time table, as it can give you an estimate of your free time and give you the scope of engaging yourself beyond academics.

Get hold of your college’s attendance eligibility criteria, this will enable you to get insight on how you can maintain attendance while managing extracurriculars as well.

Formalities, Forms and Identity Card

You have to do everything by yourself. You are responsible for your own self.

Tip before we start: Always have a copy of your admission card and roll number. It is even more important than your name.

In your first month, ensure you go to the admin office and inquire about the procedures of getting your ID card and library card. Fill the forms, get them signed and collect them, you have to do all of this all on your own. Some colleges may have other things too, so go to the authorised person and make sure you have all your documents ready.

Paying Guests, Hostels and Residence

Some colleges are residential whereas for other colleges you have to find a paying guest room for your self. Regardless of where you are staying, estimate in your first month the distance between your college and room, so that you always reach classes on time.

For those who need to look for a PG, always inquire about the space of the room, bathroom, water supply, all three meals being included, Wi-Fi, cleaning, etc. for easy living. Also, the PG should be under a 5-kilometre radius of your college.

Responsibilities, Freedom and Budget

With college life comes huge freedom and huge responsibility, but don’t let yourself get swayed away. As the old saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. So, live your life but don’t do anything which will push you off the edge. Make memories but nothing that would scar you forever. Open up but wisely. Trust people after investing enough time.

This one year will teach you the value of money as well. Just to keep you forewarned, always make a budget and try to follow it, because mostly in the first month students go broke by the last week.

Summing Up

When you step into college, in this 1st month you will notice a billion things happening around you and you may find it difficult to cope with them. But with time, things will get better, and you will find that college is the most amazing time of your personal and professional life.

So don’t let the hassle of the 1st month scare you off. Step up, open your wings and fly!

Saurabh Singh
PGPM, Class of 2023

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