“A great goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot.”

- Jao Vitale

Students spend months if not years studying and working hard to get into IMI New Delhi. However, once they are in the program, the everyday demands take over and they get a little time to think upon how to get the most out of the post graduate program.

‘Immersive’ is perhaps the best way to describe this two-year post graduate program. Apart from the classroom learning, there is so much else you can do towards achieving self-discovery, and social and academic growth, that you always must keep your eye on the ball lest you lose sight of your goals. Here’s a survival guide that will help you navigate two of the best and stormiest years of your life.

Benchmark Against Yourself, Not Your Peers

The beauty of an MBA program is that it draws in the best and brightest from all walks of life and therefore it is futile to measure your growth or achievements based on someone else. The best way to measure your performance is to set a baseline for yourself and compare your progress against your own benchmark. Because the learning curve and baseline are completely unique for each and every arriving student. This will help you realize that your growth as a student and as a person is enormous, which is its own reward.

Take a Holistic Approach to Academics

It will not come as a surprise that you are caught up understanding each component of all the concept taught in IMI. Remember that in most cases it's not about becoming “the expert”. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information you must process. But more than that, it’s the sheer number of new concepts you must grasp and then use instantaneously. A good tip is to remember is it's about acquiring a top-level understanding of key concepts and skills so that you may identify potential risks and opportunities, ask good questions and make informed recommendations as far as your domain is concerned.

Expertise in Time Management

Should you volunteer to be a member of committees, clubs and societies, take part in corporate competitions, take a live project offered by corporates, attend college events, attend workshops and talks, team up with a colleague to take part in various competitions organized by various clubs?

The world is truly your oyster and you will probably never get opportunities like these again. Time Management is the only way you will be able to successfully navigate the 2-year journey in a post-graduation program of IMI New Delhi. The workload is colossal and so are the opportunities to learn and enjoy yourself. Post-graduation program at IMI is a delicate balancing act that clearly favours those who can multi-task.

Step Out and Take Risks

Take classes that are outside of your comfort zone, attend meetings of your committees and clubs, and introduce yourself to students with whom you are not familiar. Pushing your boundaries can serve several purposes both academically and socially. It will expose you to new ideas and ways of thinking that you might not have the opportunity to experience once you complete your post-graduation from IMI. It will help build your network, which is critically important for your post-MBA career.

Continue to Pursue your Interests and Relationship Outside of the Program

There is a lot going on in every IMI New Delhi classes, networking, committees, clubs, social events, and more. You will meet some amazing people and have exciting opportunities in your 2-years at IMI but don’t forget to maintain your relationships with your pre-IMI friends and families. This community from your pre-IMI life is filled with people that support you, care about you, and maybe even helped you get into your dream B-school. They will help you maintain perspective and optimism through challenging times while they will also celebrate the successes along your MBA journey.

It is also important to maintain your individual interests and hobbies. This will help you relieve the stress of pursuing a post graduate program and strengthen your sense of self while you grow and change with the program. Just doing something not-MBA related can help you clear your mind and give you a realistic view of the challenges the program presents. Maintaining these old ties will help you maintain your sanity, support, and a perspective during your time as a student at IMI New Delhi.

Samarth Shrivastava

How To Win At IMI