Welcome aboard the emotional roller coaster. Please fasten your seatbelts, and enjoy the ride.

I loved roller coasters when I was younger.  I would stand in line for hours in anticipation with a grin from ear to ear.  And then a funny thing happened when I got to the front of the line - I would get a pit in my stomach and start to shake.  The reality of the impending "doom" would set in and I couldn't help but  look for a way to jump out of line.  I wasn't ready, but it was too late - I was on the ride, buckled up, and there was no turning back. 

That pit-in-the-stomach feeling describes the last few weeks of my Darden experience.  After months of preparation, we finally embarked upon interview season - and it has been painful.  No one did, or perhaps could have, prepared me for the roller coaster of emotions that my classmates and I would face.  The smiles, tears, excitement, disappointment, joy, frustration,  anxiety, relief...this sheer emotional exhaustion has now just become a part of our daily routine. 

A month into the process, some of us are celebrating our signed offer letters, but most of us are continuing to explore, weigh our options, and strategize next steps.  Despite which category we fall in, at one point or another all of us have re-calibrated and re-adjusted our initial thoughts on who we are and what we want.  We have asked tough questions about the industries we want to work in and the people we want to work with.  We have thought about our lifestyles, the tradeoffs of our decisions, and the implications our choices will have on family and friends.  We have thought not only about our own personal happiness, but also about how our professional careers can best make a lasting impact.  We have defined and re-defined our view of "success".   We have been forced to take a moment to think critically about our lives, and in most cases, we have learned something surprising along the way.

As I think back to those amusement park afternoons, I realized that all that time I stood in line for the roller coaster, I just imagined the ride would be "perfect."  I never thought about the ups and downs, the loops that brought me back to where I started, or the sharp turns that made me feel like I might not make it in one piece.  Miraculously, after I got off the ride and took a deep breath on solid ground, I would forget everything that terrified me during the ride, and only remember how much fun I had. 

So here's to hoping that when I get off of the roller coaster, I will think back, remember all the imperfections and emotions, and then realize how perfect the whole experience was because ultimately the process forced me to find and define me.

...and we are back in the game!

The last time we had to go to class was 46 days ago.  That seems like a lifetime in business school years. 

So much has changed in the last month and a half in the life of a Darden First Year.  We finished exams and got final grades for many of our first semester classes.  We went on job treks across the country and made our final connections with companies.  We enjoyed some sleep, time with family, and time away from school.  We reflected on our first 1/4 of business school, likely made resolutions, and finally cherished the little things about school we overlooked in the midst of daily chaos.  We started aggressive interview prep.  We started interviewing.  Some of "us" finished interviewing (oh, those lucky few...). 

And now, with the first day of our second semester starting tomorrow, we have new Sections, new subjects, and likely, new perspectives, to share.  Tomorrow will be a whirlwind of a day, and with the 45+ different jobs people are interviewing for this week, I imagine the week will be quite a spectacle in the Darden hallways.

Good luck, everyone!

Nostalgic

(written last Monday morning - sorry I forgot to post!)
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As I stare around my apartment, I have a pretty good view of my exam existance: frozen meal boxes overflowing out of the recycling bin; the reminants of my marketing notes scattered all over my dining table; mail piled up high on the coffee table, and my clothes - well, they are everywhere.  I finished my last exam of the term last night at midnight, and after a few final recruiting events, my seminar class, and some meetings, I head back "home" for the holidays to spend time with family, visit my old coworkers, catch up with friends from the real world who I have neglected for the past three months, and of course, clean out my disasterous email inbox.

For some reason, as I sit in my window sill with a cup of tea (my favorite place in my apartment - although the last time I sat here could very well have been in September), I am a bit sad.  I can see some of my classmates walking to school for the last of their exams, while others are running around doing post exam laundry, paying rent, and finishing other chores.  It is beginning to set in, I am 1/4 of the way done with my MBA. 

In the midst of the busy days and long nights, I forgot how head over heels I have fallen for this place and the people here.  Perhaps it is because misery loves company or because we are in such close quarters all the time, but some of the friends I have made here know me as well as people who have known me my entire life.  Some of the discussions, in classes and in the hallways, have elevated and changed my thinking on my life and my values, while others have opened my eyes up to new opportunities and new passions.  The inside jokes, awkward moments, and ridiculous pictures of us in 80s costumes will likely be funny for years to come.  Anyway, 1/4 of the way done means that 3/4 is still left (do you like how my math is so sophisticated, now that I am in business school?) - so I guess it is time for me to get up, start running those errands, and get ready for a nice little break before coming back to what looks like a nutty January!  

Tomorrow is DECEMBER!?

I can't remember the last month.  The leaves have changed, the temperature is more brisk, and days are  shorter - so all the signs of fall ending are in the air - but where did November go!?  The Second Years refer to November as "Black November" - the home stretch for classes and recruiting.  I have to say, while November was clearly busy, the new schedule is indicating that these first few days of December might be our "Black November."

Our last day of classes for the semester is tomorrow and the exam period starts at 5pm.  Thursday is the first major resume and cover letter drop date for some key companies.  From there, the next week will be consumed by taking exams and writing papers, finishing up last minute recruiting pushes, the Holiday Ball (read: Darden Prom), wrapping up other classes (my seminar!), and submitting job applications (there are over 120 job opportunities that require cover letters and resumes to be submitted by December 10th). 

I will likely not be writing between now and then, so, to the prospective students reading this - good luck to those in the middle of R1 interviews and good luck to those starting to apply for the R2 application deadline.  To my FY classmates - we can do it!  These might be the 10 most intense days at Darden, but imagine what life will feel like next Friday!? ...that is, if you aren't going to Week on Wall Street and job treks...

Catch you on the flip side!

The Start of a New Term

The beginning of each term at Darden feels like the start of a new school year – our short-term memory loss has kicked in full force, and the life we led week ago filled to the brim with cases, learning team, and no sleep seems like a distant memory.  It is the calm before the next storm and in a matter of hours, the first day of Term 3 classes will quickly wake us up from our dream world.

But, in the spirit of a new term, I have decided to make a few resolutions.  In addition, I polled a few of my section-mates, and am posting their resolutions as well.  Hopefully we will revisit these throughout the term, and I can give you all an update in December!

My resolutions:

1)      To spend time each day cultivating my inner introvert – business school generally, and Darden specifically, are dream environments for extroverts.  From the walk to school in the morning, to the walk home at night, and everything in the middle, we are surrounded by people and an abundance of external stimuli.  When we aren’t working, we are out socializing.  So, to maintain a balance, my first resolution for this next term is to make time every day to be alone with my own thoughts.

2)      To eat three meals a week not “on the go” – the relationship of any business school student and food is a fragile one.  Some days, we are tempted by the abundance of free food throughout the halls and eat enough for a family of four.  Other days, meals are the last thing on our minds and one snickers bar sustains us for the day.  No matter the day, the one thing between the two sets of eating habits is that meals are always on the go, in front of the computer, or multi-tasked with 17 other things.  So, to mitigate this, I resolve to eat three (non-weekend meals) not “on the go.”

3)      To do more yoga – enough said J

4)      Get to school 20 minutes early in the morning - and prep for the day!

Resolutions from some of the ladies in Section C:

·         My resolution is to maintain a balance of sleep, running/yoga/some form of regular exercise, and healthy eating amidst the craziness of this term

·         My resolution: I will find time to hit the gym at least 3 times a week, and to eat no more than 3 frozen dinners (Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones, etc.) a week!...as you may have guessed…the 3 is for Term 3!!

·         My resolutions: Run twice / week;  Cook dinner for myself twice / week

·         My resolutions: Get at least 1 extra case for the week done before the weekend is over; eat less of the free junk food; swim at least twice a week.

·         My resolution: to run more, and to run a half marathon in the spring!

·         My resolution: to get back on the workout train and shoot for 3 days a week!  Nothing intense but I think it will make me a happier person!

·         My resolutions: attend more dance parties, cook more, and make time for other "stuff"

Thanks to all of my contributors!

"Yes, we know you are busy..."

Before I left my last organization, the CEO of the company told me to make sure I took some time to rest before starting school because, "once you get to business school, and from then onwards, your life speeds up."   After being an active undergrad, spending two years in investment banking, and then running an under-resourced program at a non-profit for a few years, I casually shrugged off his advice.  I knew what busy was.

And now I am at Darden.  Between classes, homework, extracurricular activities, recruiting, and, well...life, my old definition of "busy" is my new description of a light day.

SO - what is all that "busy" filled with?  Well, let me highlight my three favorite things in the last few weeks:

1) Factory Tours for our Operations Class - the first year class was split up last Wednesday to visit local manufacturing plants, call centers, and distribution facilities across Central Virginia.  I could write pages about my experience, having never been to a distribution center before, but I will summarize to say, "holy moly!" - there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to get a piece of fruit to a supermarket or a chair from an online catalog to your doorstep!

2) In Marketing, we recently did a case on Google and search engine optimization.  The next day, we didn't have a case (a rare, and cherished event), but were cryptically told to go to a larger classroom for a guest speaker.  The speaker ended up being the Managing Director of Sales at Google.  Over the class period we walked through one of the most fascinating presentations I have seen - talking about Google's approach to marketing.  I was at the edge of my chair for the entire class, definitely smiled with my eyes wide for most of the presentation...and I may have shed a tear or two watching a Google "make-your-own" commercial...

3) Class with the Dean!  This year, Darden piloted a new seminar series for first years on "Business & Success."  There are three pilot seminars with 15 students a piece and two professors in each class.  When I got to class, I learned one of the teachers is Bob Bruner, the Dean of the Darden School.  Unbelievable.  Our first class was on "greed" - we watched the documentary on Enron, The Smartest Guys in The Room, and then discussed our reactions and views on business, success, greed, power, and money.  At one point in the discussion, one of my classmates started a sentence with, "I would really have liked to ask these guys..."  After a pause in the classroom, Dean Bruner stepped in and said, "well, I sat down with a number of the Enron executives after the scandal and their reaction to..."  Our jaws of course dropped. 

...so, while most of the "busy" is chaotic, and at times painful (I really thought resume draft #18 was a winner...), there are hidden moments every day that make me realize that this is the coolest experience ever.

For your amusement, a screenshot of my calendar for last week:

Welcome!

Hi All - welcome to my blog!  I am officially a Darden Student Blogger!

Prospective Students - as you begin or continue your business school process, I hope this blog is a helpful and genuine view of Darden and my life at business school.  If you ever have thoughts or questions, please feel free to email! 

Friends / Family - since many of you have noticed my departure from your lives over the last few weeks and months, I hope this blog is a good way for you to get a glimpse of my Darden life!  Thank you all for reading :)

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Darden Blogger Profile:
http://www.darden.virginia.edu/web/MBA/Students-Alumni/Voices/Student-Bloggers/Payal-Maheshwari/

Payal is a member of the Darden MBA Class of 2012 — she is excited to be back in Charlottesville as a Double Hoo! Born in New Jersey and raised in Ohio, Payal has called the D.C. suburbs home since 10th grade. After graduating from UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce, Payal moved to New York City to work as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers. She left Lehman in the summer of 2008 and joined the Strategic Initiatives Group of non-profit standout TechnoServe, Inc. After the two most fun and transformative years of her life — filled with working her tail off, traveling around Africa, and most notably, hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro — Payal is excited to be grounded back in Charlottesville! 

So far, her favorite things about Darden are her incredible learning team, amazing section (yeah, Section C!) and fantastic new friends. When she is not consumed by the “Darden bubble,” Payal enjoys going to Bikram Yoga, exploring the weekly Charlottesville Farmer’s Market, eating at old favorite restaurants and hoping for the day she will have time to play a round of golf at Birdwood. Wahoowa!