Like so many prospective business students, prior to enrolling at Beedie, I was curious to know what a typical day of an MBA student might entail. Sophie Collin’s blog, “A day in the life of a SFU Beedie MBA student” back in August 2013 is a good snap shot, which helped me get a sense of the day’s structure at school. This post will complement hers with more detail but please note each day will vary. Some days you might have a CMC workshop, informational session, interview, recruitment/networking event, a special seminar or full day class. Follow me through a typical day at Beedie.
6:30 AM: With class starting at 9:30, my day starts at 6:30. I have a pretty good morning routine. I spend 5 minutes (still in bed) on my phone scanning my notifications and reading through some news. Then, I head for the computer and spend 15 minutes going through my emails and news and 30 minutes finishing readings.
I hop in the shower and get ready. It takes me less than 40 minutes for all this because usually my outfit has been planned and prepared the night before. I have found doing this is very time-efficient. I go over the day’s events in my head: Lunch ‘n’ Learn, group meeting, GBSA meeting and a softball game.
8:15AM: I live on 41st, so it takes me about 20 minutes to get to school via bus and Canada Line. My time on the train is spent reading up on current events and TMZ (because who doesn’t want to know what Anna Wintour said about Kim on the cover of Vogue?).
8:45AM: I arrive at Waterfront station by 8:45 and pop by Trees for some coffee and a muffin. I will sometimes go to Crème de la Crumb but today I chose Trees because the line looks short. Plus, they offer an SFU student discount (coffee everyday adds up!). On the counter they always have the day’s horoscope. Mine says, “Group discussions about the arts or anything to do with the entertainment world or the hospitality industry will get results.” Interesting! I have been thinking about a job posting I looked up a couple of nights ago in the hospitality industry.
I make my way to the Segal building and head upstairs to 4800, the lecture room.
8:55 AM: I walk in and the usual suspects are already there. “Good morning!” I pick my front seat and set up my laptop. I spend about 15 minutes going over my notes and Canvas for class slides.
By 9:20, most people have rolled in and the class is full with chit-chat and laughter. Word quickly spreads that it is a classmates birthday today.
9:30 AM: Someone makes a birthday announcement and we sing for the birthday boy! What a great start to class. Lecture begins. Today’s class is Sustainability (716) with professor Stephanie Bertels. We have two things on the agenda today. First, there is a meeting with our client, whom we will be creating a sustainable project to be rolled out in the near future. Second, there is discussion on product life cycles.
11:00 AM: We take a 15-minute break and I head for Tim Horton’s with a couple of classmates and opt for the breakfast combo and steeped tea. We walk back to school and discuss the Lunch ‘n’ Learn topics for today. There are two presenters today: one on government and the other on gambling. I am excited!
1:00PM: Lecture ends and I have some questions regarding today’s lecture. I ask the professor for some insight and clarification. I wrap up my conversation and someone has kindly reminded us all that Lunch ‘n’ Learn will begin in 10 minutes. I head for the door with a classmate and we grab some Sushi from the International Food Fair (Hornby and W. Pender). During this time, we catch up on some ideas, thoughts and coursework.
1:10PM: I return for “Lunch ‘n’ Learn”. I learn a bit about the opportunities in the casino/gambling industry and then about EI—who knew there are fishing benefits? The presentations end around 2:00.
2:00PM: I have a meeting with my group to work and discuss our project. I head to my locker in the vault first. During my elevator ride and walk downstairs, I scan my emails on my phone. We have four assignments for three separate classes due in the next couple of weeks, so planning is crucial.
We discuss until 3:30 and all decide to do some independent research and follow up in a googledoc by Saturday. I take the time to tackle a backlog of emails. I also look over the list of any future readings for the following day—there are three articles for tomorrow and the innovation assignment is due early next week. I begin reading the articles.
5:00 PM: I have a meeting with the GBSA executives in 2600. We meet every other week for an hour. My role is VP Finance. We go over the budget for future events, old news and update each other on each cohort. The GBSA includes representation from EMBA, MOT MBA, MSc Finance and the Part-time and Full-time MBA.
6:00 PM: I excuse myself and head for the door—my ride is here! I get home to get my cleats and glove.
I get to the baseball diamond and warm-up with some ball throwing. I can’t help to think what a gorgeous day it is today! If I don’t have softball, I try to go for a run or get some exercise at least 4 days in a week.
8:00 PM: The game ends. It’s a tie! We go for a quick bite at the local pub and share some laughs! On the way home, my friend and I debate on the topic of 3D printing and its potential disruptive nature. I also invite her to the much talked about Beedie Cocktail Party organized by the VP Social and GBSA taking place next week.
9:00PM: I get home and take a quick shower. Whew! That was a nice break. Then, I mentally go over what I need to read. I head for the computer to go over the articles and take notes. I make myself some tea and let the information digest.
10:45: Before I turn off the computer, I look up tomorrow’s weather forecast and tomorrow’s events. I head to the closet and pick out tomorrow’s outfit. I get ready for bed and whip out the iPad to scroll through the newsfeed on LinkedIn, Facebook and check-in on the MBA Beedie Group while I wait for news at 11:00 and some sports highlights.
11:30: Lights out!
Diana is a full-time SFU Beedie MBA Student with a BA. Her background is in hospitality. During her free time she enjoys traveling and drinking wine. She is currently the VP Finance for the Graduate Business Student Association. She is also a Student Ambassador at Beedie. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to connect with Diana at dliang@sfu.ca or on LinkedIn.