Survived 50% of The Core

Dear Readers,

Wow! I finally managed to post my very first blog after several weeks of procrastination. You know how it works right? One day you are eating an eggo waffle and the next thing you know, you are 50% through the boot camp part of the MBA program known as The Core (pronounced in a Darth Vader voice minus the intermittent heavy breathing). But I have a treat for all of you because I’m going to give you the scoop on the program from a totally different perspective – that of an MBA student who is likely to win the $1Million McDonald’s Monopoly contest, I only need Boardwalk…

With this first blog, I will give you 5 simple tips for surviving the first half of The Core. I haven’t survived the second half yet, so if you see me continuing to post, then I remembered my credits from my debits.

Tip #1 – Practice Writing on Paper Again: When I started the program I had to search what paper and pen was on Wikipedia. I walked into a Staples to buy a three ring binder to hold said paper and it was more awkward than reading a Cosmo at the dentist’s office. I have been so accustomed to typing on a computer that I found it difficult writing sentences between the two blue lines. Although most people bring laptops to class, do not underestimate the amount of writing you’ll be doing, especially when exams approach.

Tip #2 – Savour the Free Food. Many students dread Mondays because that is the day you have to hand in your business cases for discussion. But get excited because they serve you free catered food during these days. We’ve had everything ranging from Italian to Thai food. How awesome is this? I’m not entirely sure why I put this down as a survival tip, but you need to eat to survive so I guess what I’m trying to say is – don’t forget to eat. (Also, the good stuff is always at the end of buffet so think twice about allocating room for the multigrain bread on the plate – you need to see at least three feet ahead like any good business manager out there)

Tip #3 – Buy a Reliable Alarm Clock: All assignments handed in after 8:30 Pacific Standard Time is late. No Exceptions. That means if your excuse is that a meteor landed on your car, public transit is down, a random PoliSci student ate your homework, and your printer got a PC Load Letter, you get ZERO on your assignments. Therefore, your best friend is an Alarm clock that works and is set relatively early whenever you have an assignment due.

Tip #4 – Socialize: 50% of an MBA program is networking. Get to know your fellow students. At Sauder, the program size is around 125 people. You split into two cohorts and halfway through The Core, they split you up again so you get a chance to work with almost everyone. I have found all my classmates in the program to be supportive – especially with finishing pitchers of beer. So try to sit in a new seat every class.

Tip #5 – Work Hard – Here is my Litmus test to determine whether you are working hard enough. If you find yourself watching CSI:Miami on a weekday and you are not pondering what the inventory turnover for latex glove suppliers are, chances are you aren’t working hard enough and you forgot there is a strategy assignment due tomorrow.

That is all for now folks. More insights next time.

Davin