Life at SPJIMR-PGDM (Equivalent to MBA)

Life in a b-school is one of the most fast paced & memorable phases of one’s life. More so if it is spent handling a plethora of activities in addition to academics.

The typical day at SPJIMR begins with a dash to the dome which seems so near yet so far. The daily morning sprint to class makes the morning bright and one enters class just in time feeling no less than Usain Bolt himself.

Having settled in the comfort of the air conditioned dome, the focus quickly shifts to the pre read that was supposed to have been done and the quiz that follows. Every class is a mix of some new perspectives, old examples and a lot of participation as it is famously known. Nevertheless one hears the regular voices all the time, his own voice a few times and new voices once in a while. Competing with one self is no more an exception.

Among the ubiquitous things of the day at SP are the committee work and some upcoming cultural event. There always is some music practice to do or a short skit to be enacted or a canvas waiting to be filled with colour. And just when the day threatens to turn bland, a guest lecture by some alumni or industry leader happens and enlivens it all over again.

The days are full of buzz sustained over the Nimbu pani of the bistro. The chatter that energizes the entire campus never ceases to be. While cursing the next fast approaching deadline i.e the midnight there are always more “important” discussions like what happened in the night canteen the day before. The lifeline of the Boys’ hostel, the night canteen is where the action is as the souls that emptied themselves on the assignments and projects rejuvenate themselves. The one flavour that would remain etched in the minds of SPeople is that of the midnight masala maggi made by Jayaram at the night canteen.  

As if all of life were meant to strategize, plan and execute this corner of the planet treats everyone the same. Thinking about the group work and the submission deadlines and wondering when to fit in the latest movie that is inevitable, time gives everyone a run for their money. All this culminates in a yearning for the Wednesday night which is the prelude to the Thursday weekend. Come Wednesday night and it’s a different place altogether. Hanging out with friends and spoilt for choice in the city that stretches the definition of maxima, it’s a refreshing change and everyone is reminded of the fact that it is Bombay. The Thursday that is so short lived is the one chance every week to replenish energy levels and catch up on much wanted sleep.

Amidst all the fun and events, a day seems an eternity in SP time and the lines between the end of the previous day and beginning of the next day are so blurred that it is just a multitude of colours each one different from the rest.