When I was applying to business school, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in as a student without a quantitative background. To help others who might find themselves in this position, I’m sharing this outline of a typical day in my life as a first-year MBA student.

Getting Ready for the Day

7 a.m.: I get ready in my apartment, have coffee and breakfast, and drive to school. I live on 9th Street so it is an easy 8-minute drive to Fuqua. I typically listen to an NPR or Wall Street Journal news podcast to stay up to date on current events.

Attending Morning Classes

8 a.m.: My first class of the day is Marketing with Professor Keisha Cutright. It’s a more quantitative-focused class than what I am used to, but I enjoy learning about customer acquisition costs and lifetime value. Today we are discussing the Red Lobster restaurant chain and clear market segmentation.

10:30 a.m.: My next class is Finance with Professor Anna Cieslak where we discuss bond valuation. The formulas, terms, and applications are newer concepts to me, so it often takes me a little longer to sit with the information to really make sure I understand. The real-world implications are incredibly clear, and I make a note of some of the concepts for my case review later.

Lunch and Afternoon Meetings

12:45 p.m.: I stop in the Fox Center to have a quick lunch with friends. A small detail I love about Fuqua is that all Daytime MBA students have the same lunch time, so it’s fun to run into friends and classmates. I am so lucky to have made close friends so quickly since starting Fuqua and they always brighten my day. We catch up after class and plan a get-together to grab drinks the upcoming weekend.

1:30 p.m.: My consequential leadership (C-LEAD) team and I meet to work on our Finance case due in two days. Given our different backgrounds, it takes teamwork to come up a complete and cohesive answer. I really enjoy working with each of them, and we bring a lot of laughter to each meeting. I think it shows the best of Team Fuqua when we are working together while still having a lot of fun.

3:30 p.m.: I meet with a second-year student to practice a case interview in preparation for internship interviews this winter. I am still relatively new to these processes, but I am working through framing an argument and doing mental math in real-time. My second-year buddy is helpful in giving candid feedback and reassurance. I am part of the Health Sector Management (HSM) program at Fuqua, so I am specifically learning as much as possible about the biotechnology and pharmaceutical spaces.

Claire Lynch and two friends standing in the student section of Cameron Indoor Stadium. The court is behind them and the stands are packed for a Duke men's basketball game.

Switching Gears From Student to Fan

5:30 p.m.: I head over to Cameron Indoor Stadium with friends to catch the Duke men’s basketball game. Participating in the graduate student campout was one of my favorite memories from the first fall term. I was lucky enough to win the lottery for season tickets!

One of the best pieces of advice I received when starting at Fuqua was to branch out beyond the business school by taking part in activities offered through the university. The basketball games are a great opportunity to be part of the larger Duke community.

9 p.m.: I return to my apartment and finish up some work for class tomorrow. I make a special note to pack my running shoes and workout gear for tomorrow morning as I try to walk the Al Buehler Trail next to campus before class when possible.

10:30 p.m.: I finally head to bed.

Thanks for following along!