Based on my earlier posts, it’s clear that I’ve been having a great time since moving to Austin and begun business school. However, after the past two weeks, I believe I have finally learned what it is like to actually be back in school. School as in classes, homework, tests, commitments. As the quarter began, the true components of school seemed somewhat distant, but definitely manageable. I can remember several members of the MBA Program Office telling our class that, “we are going to be stressed” and “this first quarter is going to be very difficult.” My reaction? Bring it.

Well, it’s been brought’en. You win, McCombs.

In the past two weeks I have experienced an extreme range of emotions due to the impact of now actually being in school and having to behave as a ‘student.’ Stress has been overshadowed by feelings of helplessness, desperation, exhaustion and even fear (see UT Bomb Threat). Apparently, this is what the MBA Program Office was talking about when they said this quarter was going to be difficult.

Learning to multi-task: Statistics homework while watching Texas Football!

We now have homework consistently in every class, finished mid-terms last week and are now prepping for our group projects and finals in three weeks.

In addition, student organizations are in full swing, so I have also been spreading my time over organization applications/interviews and opening events. I generally look at the student organizations as a break from homework and as a way to interact with my classmates, however, I wish I had more time (less homework) to really give them the attention that I would like to!

One thing I have realized in the past week is that while I may feel unfocused and not completely sure of my future path, it is clear that business school is going to force me to decide where to hone my efforts as my time is only limited to 24 hours in a day. I am having to make decisions as how to spend those 24 hours and schedule the work and activities in front of me appropriately.

My right-hand man…

Naturally the things that begin to be prioritized lower are the things I assume I am actually not that interested in (unless they count for a grade!) I think this is business school’s way of helping me find my true path.

I finally feel that 5 weeks into the semester, I am acclimated to being a student again. I now know that I should never again take lightly what the Program Office tells us and am becoming better at choosing how to spend each hour of my day. If nothing else, I at least feel as though I am really a student again in that I go almost no where without my trusty Texas MBA backpack!