During orientation people kept repeating: “You’ll be drinking from a fire hose over the next few months” and “Be sure to schedule in time to go to the gym, do your laundry, even eat …” Now halfway through the first quarter those comments make sense. 24-hours in the day are just not enough to do everything I want to do. I’m used to working hard, being driven and being focused, but the business school schedule is intense in a different way.

I’m currently taking the initial core classes of Accounting, Probability & Statistics, Economics and Management Communications. As a Health Sector Management student, I’ve also completed a health industry boot camp and will attend seminars throughout the fall. That all seems manageable enough, but in addition to class time there is a mixture of quizzes, exams, individual homework assignments, and team case assignments. Additionally, there are club events to educate you on industry and functional roles and connect you to recruiters and alumni, and special events like the Distinguished Speaker Series that brings corporate leaders to Fuqua. On top of all of that there are social gatherings like Fuqua Friday, house parties, and team dinners sprinkled in.

Just this past weekend, Duke graduate students attended a 48-hour campout to score Duke Basketball season tickets. It was raining and a bit chilly, but between RVs, U-Haul’s, beer and wine, food, dancing and socializing, there was a ton of fun to be had. Even Coach K and a few players from the team came over to cheer us on and promise an awesome upcoming season. Though I didn’t win tickets, it’s definitely a weekend I’ll remember.

All in all, going to the gym, making elaborate meals, and even sleeping seem to take second order. It’s insanity, but in the way that you know you’re growing, changing, learning to manage your time, and control your stress. Fingers crossed, I get the balance right.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others” – Jack Welch