Home Entrance Exam Prep My B-school life taught me the real meaning of life | Divyanshi Srivastava - XAHR

My B-school life taught me the real meaning of life | Divyanshi Srivastava - XAHR

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My B-school life taught me the real meaning of life | Divyanshi Srivastava - XAHR

"You will have ups and downs but believe anything is possible. With hard work, it can come off." -Geraint Thomas. I believe these words are appropriate when I think about my journey that started somewhere during my graduation days. It continues in the second year of college. The experience has been formidable. I got a chance to explore myself. So, here is how my B-school life taught me the real meaning of life.

In 2016, I was in the second year of college(B.Com days). I made up my mind to start preparing for one of the most difficult and sought after exams; Common Admission Test, CAT. I hail from a small town near Kanpur that does not have good education facilities so I joined a coaching institute in Kanpur. I was always a bright student at school. When I chose this exam as my new target, I was filled with vigor and exhilaration. However, on the first day of my coaching phase, I was not confident about myself.

I had no access to extracurricular activities

Our teacher grilled us immensely and relentlessly asking about our hobbies and interests. I studied in a middle-of-the-road school in my town where I had no access to extracurricular activities. However, I thought that I would make it work later. Well, I suffered a relapse on that front as well. Within a few weeks, I realized that the syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude (QA) was not just humongous but also very unfamiliar to me.

I was not aware of those topics. I used to do quite well while solving questions from elementary level maths. But beyond that, it was very difficult for me to solve those problems. Moreover, I gradually realized that none of the teachers were patient enough to explain the advanced concepts related to it. It had become clear to me that with a background of elementary maths, competing with engineering students (who form a great chunk of candidates in MBA entrance exams) is not going to be easy.

MBA entrance exams

After completing my graduation I shifted to Delhi in 2017 to prepare for MBA entrance exams. My attention was divided between CAT and graduation exams. I joined the best coaching institute in Delhi. However, I faced the same ugly reality again. I lagged due to the QA component. Also, I was not feeling good being in Delhi. I was missing my home.

Moreover, I was unable to cover up QA that created anxiety in my mind. I already dropped a year which made me feel insecure sometimes. Also, the culture and weather of Delhi took a great toll on my health. I was not in a very good position. However, it was my first phase of life where I was living independently. It made me learn a lot of things. Around October, I came across a few Youtube channels which vividly easily explained the concepts. But it was too late. I had to appear for an exam within a month. Although, I knew there was a paucity of time I was not ready to quit. I studied and covered up as many topics as I could and gave multiple mock and sectional tests.

Though there was a sense of disappointment that I appeared for the exams. Honestly, the CAT (which was expected) was not up to the mark. But I was able to score very good marks in some other entrance exams. Moreover, I landed in one of the reputed B-schools of the country. Things turned different beyond my expectations. Although, I was proud of myself that I did not give up.

My B-School life and summer placement

After this strenuous and grueling experience, I took a short break two and a half months before beginning college. I had heard a lot about B-school life and its culture, which is full of exciting stories. The excitement was filled to the brim. I still remember my first day at college. After our orientation, I sat with my newly formed group to solve multiple assignments. Though I felt that the schedule was very hectic since day one. Our seniors used to say that the orientation days are our 'honeymoon period'. After the orientation, a day was all about classes, innumerable assignments, tests, batch meets, and other projects.

I used to leave my room at 9:30 in the morning and I would reach back by 11 in the night or even later. There was no time to think about anything else other than my B-school life and I could barely call my parents. Gradually, I adapted to this lifestyle but sometimes I felt that I did not have any time for myself to think, to feel or to introspect. Within two to three months all this started to take a toll on me. I used to miss my home badly and I felt as if no one cared for me here. I felt lonely and disengaged as I kept running in the rat race.

The summer placement process had already started. Only a B-school student can understand this feeling. Moreover, the placement time was the main concern. By August, I fell seriously ill. I could not eat or sleep properly. Ultimately, I consulted a doctor who told me that I had blood pressure problems. Really? At the age of 22? That was the day I realized that I was responsible for this condition. There was nobody to blame as I failed to take care of myself. From a person who was a control freak, I changed myself into someone who began to let things flow freely. I was someone who compromised too much. It was not that I stopped working hard; I did my work with the same dedication and sincerity like before. However, I also knew how to balance work and self-care.

B-school Life: When life throws challenges at you

Once I learned it, my B-school life became much smoother. Some people were sulky and made others feel the same way. I used to listen to everyone but I did not let it affect me anymore. No matter how rosy it may look from outside, but B-school is a place where everything is not rosy, there are thorns and you cannot evade them. Well, you just have to be strong enough to handle any peril in your life. Out of many things that I learned and discovered about myself in this journey, resilience is one virtue which I think has made me sail through all of this. However, I am thankful for everything that happened.

Today when I think about my older version in 2016, I see myself as a naive and timid girl who was afraid to take chances in her life. Now after three years, there is a sea change in the way I used to handle my life. Today, after completing my first year of college and two-month internship, I am thankful for every hurdle that came in my way.

When life throws challenges at us, quitting is the easiest option which can cost us our dreams. So, anyone who is reading this, I urge you to be a fighter. Life will be tough but you can be tougher. It is okay to feel hopeless, but it is not okay to give up. There is a reservoir of Herculean strength to push you further in life. But amidst all this chaos, remember to stay down to earth, to introspect and to take care of yourself.

Let people say what they wish to say. It will not reach to you unless you allow it to. Follow your heart and walk on the right path even if you have to walk alone.

Edited by

Divyanshi Srivastava - XaHR Bhubaneswar

(Batch 2018 - 2020)

Currently pursuing an MBA in Human Resources, likes to observe people and loves to write about them.

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