It’s back to college for many students in Fuqua’s Master of Management Studies program and the start already feels accelerating as well as exhilarating! Here’s what a day in the life of an MMS student currently looks like for me.

Morning

My day starts at 8 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It’s Fall Term 1 where there is Fundamentals of Business Economics from 8–10:15 a.m. and Foundations of Capital Markets from 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. Then there is Foundations of Management and Organizations every Tuesday and Friday from 8–10:15 a.m.

Lunch

Since I am done with classes before lunch, I have ample time to focus on other things. Every day at 12:45 p.m., all Fuqua students gather at the Fox Center—the cafeteria and the hustling hub of the b-school. The cafeteria buzzes for that hour and you are lucky if you find a table to sit at. Personally, it is my favorite spot because you get to hang out with friends, study, play ping pong, and most importantly—eat!

Afternoon

I spend most of my time after lunch at the Ford Library, studying the class modules, and finishing assignments, tests, etc. The library does have a lot of good reads as well as multiple reference books. My usual spot there is the last corner where my friends and I find a group table and study the afternoon away.

I return to my apartment at about 4:30 p.m., work out for some time, and complete pending chores for the day. Weekdays are usually hectic, and I try to complete my studies then so that I can fully enjoy my weekends.

Other Days and Times

Wednesdays are a mid-week break from classes and so I volunteer at the Duke Puppy Kindergarten from 1–3 p.m. which involves taking care of puppies and managing visitors. I also use Wednesday to complete pending assignments and get done with all submissions for the week.

There have been several Fuqua Fridays so far this term where everybody got together for chatting, eating, drinking, and having fun! Friday night and Saturday night are the nights when the MMS cohort has a blast. I usually go out with my friends to explore downtown Durham, Ninth Street, and sometimes to the Duke football and other sporting events too!

There are many restaurants and bars in these areas, and it is fun to explore a new place every week. Once in a while, we go to one of Duke students’ favorite places—Shooters, a nightclub. One can find many Duke and Fuqua students there on a Friday or Saturday night where everybody dances the night away. Sundays are for unwinding and relaxing from going out two nights in a row. Since some of my relatives live here, I meet them on Sundays occasionally and later cook with my friends.

There is something exciting happening every week inside and outside of Fuqua and it is amazing how every week gives different experiences to cherish for a lifetime!