Salocin

17th September 2002

Caffeinated...

Work here at Wharton was gradually going to ramp up, that's what I thought. By the time it reached it's peak, somewhere in the middle of the first semester, I would be working reasonably hard.

My expectations were just a little out - The second week of classes we have 2 mid-terms (go figure), 2 written cases, a presentation, a homework and 2 cases to prepare for class.

This is really a good thing, as this used to be the pace in the real world. The long break, followed by learning to sail in Key West, followed by a very slow start to the year in pre-term, meant that I had forgotten what it was like to work hard.

It's energising. I have loads to do, and yet I am determined to go sailing this weekend. The more I pile onto my schedule, the more I realise that I can be ruthless about what activities I allow myself to do, and what I don't have time for. I also realise that there's a lot more time between Monday and Friday than you think, but you only start finding that time when you apply a little pressure. Or when your marketing professor starts applying a little pressure.

There's so many things to do here that being selective is very difficult. How many professional, social, cultural and sports clubs can you be a part of and still have time for work? How many informally-organised activities (like sailing this weekend), industry speaks, career talks, community activities, company tours and leadership positions can I sign up for before I reach the point where my schedule simply will not flex to take the strain? I've chosen to find out by signing up for everything and then seeing which parts of the week simply can't take it.

Part of me wants to be having more fun with less time pressure, but I know that if I were to leave here in two years without having found it very challenging, I would be wondering what I paid so much money for... Similarly, if I leave here in two years and I didn't participate in absolutely everything it is possible for me to do, then I will have missed an opportunity that's not coming back. In fact, the time pressure is the best measure of how much fun I'm having!

It's going to be a great 2 years.