Hella

I’ve taken a really optimistic and proactive approach to Q4. I want to be on top of all of my work and so far, I’ve done ok. Well, except for getting to class on time. It seems that on the first day of Marketing Strategy (as a result of running a little random computer program) I was cold called. But I had yet to make it to class (and there were at least 10 other Wharton students on the same SEPTA trolley so they were late, too). So when I arrived about 3 minutes late, everyone gave me this funny look. I didn’t know why until about 12 hours later when a friend told me after dinner.

So keeping up with the homework isn’t an easy task. It’s also rather tiring. As an example, I have only two classes on Tuesday, one at 10:30 and one at 1:30. I got to school (though a few minutes late) for my first class. Then I took my usual lunch break. Then I had class from 1:30-3:00 after which I promptly headed to a professor’s office for 30 minutes to discuss my advanced study project. I then journeyed home to change clothes and made it back to campus for the 4:30 DGSAC meeting. After that, I rode the trolley back home and cracked open my Global Strategic Management case for today. I only got half-way through it, though I did spend some time on email and household chores, before it was time to head out for dinner.

I attended a very festive birthday celebration yesterday at 8:15 at Fork in Old City. Since I’m trying to stay ahead, I almost felt guilty about not having all my work done before heading. But I went anyway and had a wonderful time. It was one of the most enjoyable times I’ve spent socially in a while. Well I got home at 11:45 and then finished off the reading fo the case. But I went to bed with a Supply Chain case yet to read/prepare.

Today I got to class on time at 9:00. Then I spent 10:30 to noon preparing my case and doing email. Our wonderful Cohort H Social Chairs arranged a Pakistani lunch for us in one of the classrooms. While waiting for the food to arrive, we watched a DVD of last year’s Follies show. It was fun to see everyone from the Cohort in a social setting and I definitely need to do it more often. After lunch, I headed to OPIM 632 (Supply Chain), answered a question incorrectly for the whole class, then went about on my merry way and walked home. The walk home was great as I shared it with a fellow DGSAC member and we talked about my project and the Wharton experience in general. The talk reminded me of why I enjoy working with the DGSAC group so much. I’ve really learned a lot about teamwork, my own working style, and managing client expectations. It’s also been a rewarding way to give back to the school (my main motivation for applying to the committee in the first place).

So today I finally have a slight bit of breathing room. I only have one class tomorrow since Leadership meets only once a week. And the reading assignment includes reviewing the manual for the software simulation that we’ll be using the entire quarter. Perhaps I’ll take the extra time to head to the gym and read more in Shackleton’s Way, a book I’m reading as a supplement to the Leadership course.

Filed under: B-School