MBA Diaries: Survival is key

The Other Side
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

MBA is like the Hunger Games. We have absolutely no idea where we are heading to, but we do know that survival is key. It’s a roller coaster in real life. To be honest the term ‘ roller coaster’ feels too small to describe the experience. There is pressure from all sides. People are constantly pushing you, judging you, criticising you for every minute thing you do. Nobody cares if you’re lying sick in your room, nobody gives two shits if you are battling depression everyday. Nobody bothers to ask if you’re doing okay. And that’s understandable since I’m quite sure each one of us are going through a similar experience.

People back at home fail to understand how life could suddenly get that tough with just an MBA. Well, it really really is that tough. I wouldn’t say it is impossible, but it is a challenge to get through it with your head above the water. That’s “Management” for you (apparently). I couldn’t care less about this “Management” where people display hypocrisy, never seem to be there for one another, show no empathy but only bucketfuls of sympathy for whoever’s listening.

There are group projects, Industry Analysis presentations, a number of databases that need to filled up EOD at any cost, extensive Harvard Business Reviews to be analysed, plus the burden of never ending attendance and curriculum. If you’re thinking these tasks are “engaging” or “interactive”, you are deeply mistaken. Attitude clashes and misunderstanding among team members, unreasonable deadlines by superiors, a consuming pressure that can crack you up.. the ugliness of it is all over the place.

Sometimes it really does get worse. Days when the depression cannot be contained anymore and takes over me. All it takes is that one tiny trigger for me to come undone. Hours of shutting myself up in my room (read terrible sobbing) will make me feel better for the time being, enough to face my friends over dinner that day. Nevertheless the hustle continues from the next morning.

MBA life is unforgiving and unapologetic. Your pleas are never heard by anyone around you no matter how hard you scream. Irrespective of all the problems you might be having, the show goes on.

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