Before arriving at business school, many of us thought we knew what to expect: rigorous academics, ambitious classmates, and long days juggling competing priorities. In this blog, we reflect together on what surprised us most about business school — from the power of clear communication and supportive classroom environments to the depth of collaboration, the demands of balance, and the sense of community that defines our Fuqua experience.
A surprising lesson I’ve learned is that passion alone isn’t enough to drive impact. Whether in-person or online, clear, compelling communication is essential to influence others. You must truly understand the content and articulate it in a way that resonates.
I’ve also come to appreciate how driven everyone is to achieve their own missions and priorities. Respecting those differences and seeking to understand others can make or break relationships and collaboration.
Business school is about building on your existing skill sets. It’s easy to get caught up in acquiring more and more, but what really matters is how you can apply those skills to create value for others and advance your goals.
What surprised me most about business school was how approachable the classes are. They feel designed to help you stretch without feeling overwhelmed. Professors genuinely want you to succeed and create an environment where it’s okay to learn by doing. Plus, many of them are leading incredible research, which adds a real-world depth to what we’re learning in class.
The camaraderie, the genuine desire to help one another, and the palpable Team Fuqua spirit have been surprising to me. I expected the business school environment to be a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog environment, but Fuqua has so far been the best career decision I have made.
It’s like being anti-team is the exception here at Fuqua. I go into a meeting or conversation expecting someone to step up to help me with a challenge, and they can expect the same of me. It makes learning so easy and fun. That is how intentional the Fuqua admission is in selecting the most amazing students to fill our classrooms.
What’s surprised me most is how challenging it is to balance everything — academics, recruiting, social life, and being present for my family. It’s a constant juggling act that pushes you to your limits.
But it’s also incredibly rewarding. The growth that comes from managing it all, while building lifelong friendships and discovering what really matters, has made the experience more meaningful than I ever expected.
The post What Surprised Us Most About Business School appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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Ana Hernandez-Lopez
A surprising lesson I’ve learned is that passion alone isn’t enough to drive impact. Whether in-person or online, clear, compelling communication is essential to influence others. You must truly understand the content and articulate it in a way that resonates.
I’ve also come to appreciate how driven everyone is to achieve their own missions and priorities. Respecting those differences and seeking to understand others can make or break relationships and collaboration.
Business school is about building on your existing skill sets. It’s easy to get caught up in acquiring more and more, but what really matters is how you can apply those skills to create value for others and advance your goals.
Georgina Espinoza
What surprised me most about business school was how approachable the classes are. They feel designed to help you stretch without feeling overwhelmed. Professors genuinely want you to succeed and create an environment where it’s okay to learn by doing. Plus, many of them are leading incredible research, which adds a real-world depth to what we’re learning in class.
Lola James
The camaraderie, the genuine desire to help one another, and the palpable Team Fuqua spirit have been surprising to me. I expected the business school environment to be a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog environment, but Fuqua has so far been the best career decision I have made.
It’s like being anti-team is the exception here at Fuqua. I go into a meeting or conversation expecting someone to step up to help me with a challenge, and they can expect the same of me. It makes learning so easy and fun. That is how intentional the Fuqua admission is in selecting the most amazing students to fill our classrooms.
Mateo Martinez Ledesma
What’s surprised me most is how challenging it is to balance everything — academics, recruiting, social life, and being present for my family. It’s a constant juggling act that pushes you to your limits.
But it’s also incredibly rewarding. The growth that comes from managing it all, while building lifelong friendships and discovering what really matters, has made the experience more meaningful than I ever expected.
The post What Surprised Us Most About Business School appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : What Surprised Us Most About Business School