Month 3 - Now convinced that 7 hours qualifies as "sleeping in"

by: Marc Folch

Now that we have had a few months to get settled in, the MBA program is decidedly starting to feel like home. The learning curve is steep and sleep still a rarity, but I am getting used to it.

Admittedly my time scarcity is partly of my own making. I decided before I came that relationship building was one of my key goals and as a result I have taken on quite a few extra curriculars. It is still important to get above average marks, but I would not recommend the pure "bookworm" approach to anyone doing an MBA program because you forgo much of the program's value.

The biggest time drain for me comes from the fact that I was elected as the peer rep for my class, so I arrange all the tutorials and act as a liaison between the students and faculty on academic matters. I try to make it as easy as possible for my classmates to learn and take away the key material from each class. It is a big job (particularly around test time), but I thoroughly enjoy helping others so I don't mind one bit. I believe that the best way to succeed in life is to help others around me succeed. If you have the opportunity to be elected to any positions, take them! The experience is invaluable and it often lets you expand your network in ways that would not normally be open to you.

When not running tutorials, I am often playing rugby, exercising, or hanging out with classmates over a beer or a meal. The rugby team is a lot of fun, but gave me a black eye for Industry Week when the school paradeed us in front of all the big employers in downtown Toronto. On the bright side, at least they won't forget me!

The camaraderie and bonding you do with classmates by being on a team is not something that can be replaced by class sessions or even by a night out at the bar. There is something about battling together against a common foe that brings people together and makes the connection stronger.

Overall, the people in the program here are amazing and I have already made many friends which I will be keeping for many years to come. I am glad I came to Ivey.

Marc Folch

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MBA Candidate (October '08)

Richard Ivey School of Business
University of Western Ontario