Sep 16, 2012
FOMO
By Juliet H. T'14
Business school: a study in efficiently allocating finite resources
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.
{C}
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.
{C}
