Introduction
The phrase ‘time flies’ is synonymous with an MBA degree course. As a young professional, you try to do everything in your power to experience high-impact learning. You juggle between various tasks while always trying to do the ‘right’ thing in the traditional academic-focussed fashion.
Often the fierce competitiveness and competition surrounding the MBA students lead to various regrets, which come in every shape and size. However, one key takeaway from these regrets is that they are vital lessons in disguise and should be taken in stride.
Let us take a look at some mistakes that MBA students often make during their careers, which soon turn into regrets.
Biggest Regrets of MBA Students
1. Trying to be part of everything
An ongoing dilemma faced by every new MBA student is how to be virtually everywhere. In an attempt to be a part of everything, they often sign up for every activity or opportunity, especially during their first semester.
Many MBA students agree that in retrospect, they should have approached these things intentionally and only would have joined a certain club or activity if it resonates with them. The desperation to be everywhere and participate in everything often drains the energy which should have been invested wisely for more important works.
2. Only good grades are crucial for fat paychecks
A common misconception held by young MBA students is that just good grades are all that is needed for getting big paychecks. But in reality, it can’t be farther from the truth. Most MBA graduates realize that if they got a chance, they would have done things differently.
It is important to pay attention to your grades but to excel during interviews and make a solid impression. Your overall personality and experience speak volumes. Contrary to just getting good grades, students should strive to find a balance between their academics and social life to make the most of their course. When you look back, it is the kind of experiences and memories that you have gathered through the years that will define your path and not just your grade card.
3. Sacrificing health
Professionals often get intimidated by the hype of B-schools so much so that they get stressed about everything during their first semester. And mind it, stress has real consequences for your health.
MBA students who start to overthink and then overdo things often struggle with their health and their long-term well-being. As a result, students often resort to unhealthy eating and sleeping habits that do them no good. MBA graduates agree that it is of utmost importance to keep health as their priority and not stretch yourself to the breaking point, ever!
4. Never saying ‘No’
MBA courses are often dubbed as an exercise in knowing what to take in and what to leave out. MBA graduates stress the idea that one of the biggest regrets that they face is the courage to say ‘No’ to the things that would be tempting.
The right way to approach this is to first stop giving in to the temptation of excelling at everything. Next, try to choose depth over breadth. Instead of constantly worrying over what if we miss a life-changing opportunity, focus on building a steady track record with things that interest you or you excel at. Learn to say ‘No’ to some opportunities and ‘Yes’ to others. Focus on what truly matters.
5. Not taking enough risks
Many young professionals become ‘risk averse’ as they get from the first to second semester. With all their focus on getting great grades and making goodwill, they forget about taking risks. They do not venture into unknown territories or test waters.
In retrospect, some MBA graduates regret not starting a venture or working on a solid business idea that they got while studying. The sentiment is to first complete the degree and then take on the entrepreneurial spirit. While it is important to finish the degree, it is also important to not let the idea go by. Understand that while you are in the B-school, you also have access to some of the best resources needed to get that idea off the ground.
6. Poor networking
One of the biggest regrets of MBA students is not socializing enough or having a good network while studying. Building an effective network is crucial to finding complementary skill sets. You never know if you will take off your venture with the help of your network someday.
In hindsight, most MBA graduates agree that friends and mutually beneficial networking is of utmost importance. You just cannot shrug your shoulders to socializing and just care about completing your degree all day. Professionals need to put themselves out there more often. At least, maintain a small circle of friends. Try to have useful conversations, get to know your classmates better, and take time to uncover their stories.
7. Constantly re-evaluating where you are
If you are constantly evaluating yourself or thinking – Am I enough? Do I really belong? These sort of existential questions to watch and assess yourself all the time triggers unnecessary comparison.
As a young professional, you should understand that time flies while hopping from semester to semester. All these activities, clubs, and other competitions can distract you from the goal and instead make you focus on your mistakes.
You should take time out to constantly check with yourself – Am I honoring my priorities? Have my goals changed? What does my path look like? Is it the right fit for me?
Questions like these should be assessed after every semester. Usually, the mindset you carry during your first semester is not what you continue to have by the end of your course.
8. Not able to take advantage of the activities and opportunities
The MBA curriculum is designed strategically to encourage the student to experience overall learning experience and growth with peers. Many students choose to devote themselves solely to academics with a focus on getting good grades.
During the first two semesters, students often get a chance to experience travel-related activities or select experiences to get exposure. While many students reject such activities and pursue academics instead.
MBA graduates who had been in the same boat often regret not going on these impromptu trips or learning from high-impact events. It turns out, these unplanned experiences may help you provide you an authentic learning experience contrary to just surrounding yourself with books.
9. Pursued student leadership
As students, many MBA graduates failed to pursue the role of a student leader in their team. During the first two semesters, students are often bogged by the academics and a plethora of activities they are doing.
MBA students do not feel 100% confident that they are ready to transition to their role as leaders. They often feel the gap that they think can only be filled by the curriculum, which is definitely not the case.
You should be able to place a higher value on yourself and, even better, try to make contributions to the leadership groups whenever you can without over-analyzing it. As you make up your mind and start contributing, you will realize that you will gain new confidence for future leadership roles and prepare yourself way ahead of your future.
10. Not engaging with the faculty
Live in the moment while it lasts is an adage that perfectly goes for MBA students. While it is applicable for classmates and networking, let us not underestimate the importance of engaging with the faculty and the value of mentorship.
MBA graduates often realize that they did not engage with their professors or didn’t have a fruitful discussion with them ever. They agree that they should have been persistent about visiting their office and appreciating the wonderful work they were doing.
As a young professional, make the most of all the support you got while doing your MBA course. Have free-ranging conversations with your professors or simply discuss current events with them. You should understand that there is a lot of learning to do and you can’t do it all from books.
11. Not paying much attention to learning soft skills
The soft skills that you will learn during your MBA course over time, especially your interpersonal skills and how you dominate classroom conversations, will help you succeed in the long term. Whether it is being an entrepreneur or getting yourself a job with a Fortune 500 company, soft skills will help land you exactly where you want.
Many MBA graduates think that good grades will do the needful, which is not the case. What will matter is how you interact with people, how you carry yourself, and how you make others feel in your presence. Your presentation skills at the end of every semester will teach you how to prepare yourself for the future and get stage fears out.
Mastering these soft skills will help build a strong foundation for you to stand on. As you know your worth and acquire more skills, you will feel confident from within to take on the world and prosper.
Looking back, you will realize that you did not waste time comparing yourself and were strong enough to stand your ground firmly. If you want to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams further, check out Great Learning’s Executive PG Program in Management and upskill today!
