My first term at SPJIMR: Immersion into B-school life

March 19, 2024, marked a cherished moment in my life. Sipping hot chai at a tea café on the Mysore-Bangalore expressway, I received the notification alert that S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) had declared its results for the PGDM 2024-26 intake. With anxiety rushing through my nerves, I logged into the portal. As I saw a “Congratulations, you’ve made it!”, the months of hard work and sacrifice felt absolutely worth it. It was the day I had dreamt of since 2023 when I did not get into SPJIMR on my first attempt.

I’m Sangeetha from Bangalore, an electrical engineer with Big-4 consulting experience. I’m also an Indian classical singer holding a senior’s degree in Carnatic music. As a senior fellow of the international Melton fellowship, I’ve travelled across countries in the US and Europe for student exchange programmes focused on UN SDGs. These cross-cultural experiences and my academic focus have nurtured in me, the skill of multi-tasking and leadership. With SPJIMR placing enormous emphasis on values, talents and personality, the institute has always been my preferred choice of place to be in.

Time flies, and so did my last few weeks at home. I landed in Mumbai, the popular city of dreams, on the 15th of June. As I anticipated some life changes, my initial week at the campus gave me the flavour of a B-school experience. Case discussions, B-29 to academic block run in sharp 5 mins, catching quick bites at Bistro, reaching class just in time- these experiences are now a constant fix in our daily routines.

As I delved into the subsequent weeks, I couldn’t feel more grateful to be learning along with some of the country’s brightest minds. Being from a regional engineering institution, this was the first ever time I got to experience real, healthy competition. My notion and benchmarks of achievements and successes have changed in the last few months at SPJIMR. Though a multi-tasker in general, I too realised that I needed to develop two essential skills to navigate the complexities of life ahead – time management and prioritisation.

Today, I have learned to manage my schedule better, even with six hours of sleep. I start my day with my go-to personal time, a morning jog by Bhavan’s Lake, and watching our campus peacock ‘Dana’ dance in all its glory. I then attend classes and work on case competitions. Evening campus walks with friends and sipping a cup of chai have become my favourite social time. We then work on assignments and do pre-reads for the next day. Late-night jamming sessions and practice for events are fun times on campus. Recently, I also had the privilege of taking the stage for a musical performance at Dr. M.L. Shrikant Auditorium – my first-ever opportunity at SPJIMR! Midnight rides to Marine Drive, conversations by the beach, dining at Mumbai’s legacy eateries, transformational Abhyudaya home visits, fun birthday parties, and the vibrant Garba night – all these form core memories of my Term 1 at SPJIMR. Despite the busy schedule, the past months have contributed several memorable highlights to my B-School life.

In retrospect, a year ago, an entry into this institution seemed like a far-fetched dream. Today, as I walk the roads of the very campus I couldn’t get into in 2023, I realise that it was my relentless hard work, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude that made all the difference. The past year has made me stronger and more adaptable to situations in so many ways. Our professors say what got us here wouldn’t be enough to take us to further heights. So, in the next two years, I plan to grow as a person, nurture meaningful connections and, most importantly – learn to dream big, for success belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams!