SPJIMR > Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) > From Kerala to SPJIMR: A 100-day diary of a Ph.D. scholar
Oct 13, 2025

From Kerala to SPJIMR: A 100-day diary of a Ph.D. scholar

Neeraja Varma S, FPM 2025

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

That’s the story of my first 100 days at SPJIMR. It sounds like just a number, doesn’t it? But when I look back, it’s not just a count of the days I’ve spent as a Ph.D. scholar at SPJIMR. It’s a collection of 100 different sunrises, 100 new lessons, and 100 tiny, unexpected joys.

And the most surprising part? This city was not even on my bucket list!

Let’s rewind to the beginning, shall we? My journey to SPJIMR didn’t start on campus; it started on a long train ride from Trivandrum to Mumbai. I was scrolling through LinkedIn when a post about a National Essay writing competition caught my eye. On a whim, I thought, “Why not start writing now?”. As the beautiful landscape blurred past my window, the words began to flow. By the time I stepped off the train and into the bustling energy of Mumbai, my essay was complete.

I officially walked onto the SPJIMR campus in July. After settling into my new room—my home for the next three years, I submitted the essay and didn’t think much of it. A month later, a courier arrived. What’s inside?? Five magazines with my name and picture printed on them, a certificate of appreciation, and the incredible news: I had won! I told you this place is my lucky charm.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Contents inside the courier I’ve received!

The first thing I did on campus was capture the place that would hold my dreams for the foreseeable future: my hostel room and the iconic hostel dome. This wasn’t just a building; it was the start of a new chapter in my life.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Look at the beautiful dome

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

How would you feel if your evenings looked like this?

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

View from the balcony of my floor

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

View from my window

In the first few weeks, I became an explorer. There’s a magic to this city, an energy I can’t quite pinpoint. It’s what pulls me out for late-night walks under the campus lights and early morning runs as the city awakens. The campus itself is always alive – not just with ideas, but with my fellow residents and the cute animals we have on the campus.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Went for a small walk around the neighbourhood

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

I call him my “Golden baby”

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

‘Sundari’

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Helped him reach his home

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Once a week, I come across this peacock! I don’t know how…

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

How can you say no to this beautiful view?

My days quickly found a rhythm, balanced between two favourite places: the Gym and the Library. One builds the body, the other the mind, and combined, they have become my sanctuaries for growth.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Happy me after a good workout

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

My dream-come-true moment—an empty gym for a day

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Me trying to convince myself that the biceps are growing

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

You can find me here in case you didn’t find me in the gym

And learning? It’s not passive here. The pedagogy is so interactive that you feel yourself being refined after every session. It’s a deck load of presentations, debates, and quizzes where every challenge sharpens your intellect.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Is it safe to say that there’s no Ph.D. without presentations?

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Yay! Scored the highest for an in-class quiz

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Serious stuff…

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

My laptop and I, against the entire world and deadlines

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Perks of having an early morning meeting—experiencing nature before it becomes chaotic

But I think the real secret to loving it here is learning the art of balance. It’s the simple things: a soul-refreshing walk to the beach at dawn before class or discovering a new coffee spot with colleagues after a long day of research. It’s in these moments, between the academic rigour, that life truly happens.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

My first Panipuri experience—thanks to my colleague for taking me out to this place

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Went for Rath Yatra—It was raining heavily, so obviously ‘ek ice cream toh banta tha’

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

My favourite group activity would be exploring new tea/coffee spots

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

That one time we (my colleague and I) explored the nearby beach

With the right people, even something as mundane as grocery shopping becomes a memorable adventure. I’m so grateful for the community I’ve found here; there’s truly never a dull moment. And on the rare occasion that one creeps in, a quiet visit to the campus Shiva temple always sets the world right again.

Looking in the mirror, I see a different person than the one who boarded that train 100 days ago. I’ve discovered a love for photography and a passion for embracing every festival with open arms—be it singing for Onam, dancing for Independence Day, or soaking in the vibrant colours of Rath Yatra and the serene events during Durga Puja.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Attended an entire Puja at the Shiva temple on campus

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

That mandatory pic of the Onam celebration

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Have you ever experienced situations where you sign up for an event out of excitement, only to face the reality of having to actually show up? Yup, it was one of those moments for me.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Yes, I danced as well. Just me trying to distract everyone from asking, “How is your paper writing going?”

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Gave my first-ever video shoot for FPM programme

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

Tried exploring all sorts of festivities conducted on SPJIMR campus

So, where does that leave me on Day 100?

I’ve caught up on the academic pace by scoring an A+ in the courses. I’m now a reviewer for two established journals and part of the prestigious MISQ-I community. My academic life is buzzing with new certifications and research projects. I’m looking forward to my marathons, powerlifting competitions and the incredible journey of working with my guide and co-guide.

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

I came here with a vision of the person I hoped to become. I knew it would take work, but that vision might have remained a distant dream if my journey hadn’t led me, unexpectedly, to SPJIMR. This place isn’t just a B-school; it’s the catalyst turning that vision into my reality, one day at a time.

The first 100 days are over, but my story? It’s just beginning. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

If you’ve reached this far, then I’ve some bonus clicks (I’ve captured because I felt like capturing that moment) just for you…

Have you ever found yourself on a path you never planned, only to realise it’s exactly where you were meant to be?

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