We
are half way through Fall A and I can say that the biggest challenge I have had
thus far is contracting a severe case of Fear Of Missing Out syndrome (FOMO).
It stems from the plethora of opportunities available every day to engage in
interesting academic, career, and social activities. It affects nearly 100% of
the class and no vaccine is available during the summer health screen. Symptoms
include caffeine addiction, moderate exhaustion and frequent Facebook status
updates (and a few jealous friends). The only known cure of FOMO is graduation.
The
first week of classes largely included just that, going to class and study
group meetings. Though during this last week the floodgates began to open. The
club fair was held early in the week (unfortunately for those with FOMO they do
allow you to sign up for everything) and a few organizations have started with
meetings and events (hockey starts tomorrow!). Company briefings started and recruiting
gets into full swing this coming week with companies hosting information
sessions, office hours and networking receptions. And of course the social
calendar is as robust as ever. I even got to have dinner with a private equity
executive alumnus through Tuck's
Visiting Executive Program. For someone who has a thirst for knowledge and
a passion for life, to miss any of these events would be positively tragic. This
pace is of course unsustainable (at least for those who enjoy sleep and showers
on a daily basis). Coming to peace with the fact that I will not get to
experience everything and that at any given moment there will be many
activities in which I am not participating is disappointing but also a bit
liberating. There are a great many things on offer here but you get to choose
how you engage and evolve during your time here. Different choices in how you
allocate your time will lead you down different paths, but at least each
promises to be a splendid adventure.
These
two years will be a transformative time in my life. The challenge will be to
take as much away from this time as possible without losing touch with who I
was when I got here – I was starting to kind of like her.
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