Enrolling in a degree at a business school can be challenging. Often, this involves significant life changing decisions: you may choose to quit your job, leave your home, or even move to a new country.
Preparing for everything the business school journey can throw at you is key to enjoying the experience and getting the most out of your studies.
So, what steps can you take? To find out, BusinessBecause spoke with four students currently enrolled in degrees at Nanyang Business School (NBS), an institution which offers various programs in areas ranging from accountancy to sustainability management.
Arief Kresnadi Ignatius Kasim is a student in the school’s MBA program. Originally from Indonesia, he worked as a consultant for technology firm, Siemens, before enrolling in business school.
Soledad Sanchez is studying in the NBS MSc in Marketing Science program. Having previously lived and studied in the US, she joined the school to pursue global opportunities in marketing. Similarly, Shivani Pacheriwala left her home in India, where she built a career in business analysis, to enroll in the NBS MSc in Business Analytics program. Finally, an engineering graduate and Singapore-native, Jackson Chan, enrolled in the NBS MSc in Accountancy program to pursue his passion for the field and pivot his career path.
They shared eight tips detailing how students can seize every opportunity at business school.
How To Make The Most Of Business School: 8 Tips
1. Define your study goals
“It all goes back to finding out what you want from attending business school. You should also be open and proactive in seeking out opportunities because you can do so many things.
"Some things can help you grow as a person, and these opportunities might also help you reach your goal. So really, for me, define your goal first.”
Arief Kresnadi Ignatius Kasim, Nanyang MBA, Class of 2024
2. Refine your knowledge before you arrive on campus 
“I looked at the kind of classes and faculty I would encounter so I could research certain topics and fields of work I was interested in.
“Knowing the business school or the program you are applying to is important. That way, you come prepared and curious enough to engage with it even more.”
Soledad Sanchez, MSc Marketing Science, Class of 2024
3. Network with people who have been through the program
“I reached out to alumni and networked with people from the previous batch to gain insights into their experiences.
"I recommend doing the same, connecting with alumni, and having a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This preparation will help you maximize your business school experience and ensure it aligns with your future career aspirations.”
Shivani Pacheriwala, MSc Business Analytics, Class of 2024
4. Embrace your group work
“The school tends to pair us with different groups in every term. Hence, this allows us to meet and network with more people from various backgrounds, harnessing our cultural dexterity.
"During group work, we must share our opinions, have good group dynamics, and learn from one another in a group setting. This kind of safe environment allows us to speak up about what we think, which is very important in the learning process.”
Jackson Chan, MSc Accountancy, Class of 2024
5. Be intentional with your time management
"First of all, you must realise there will be trade-offs. You cannot do everything and achieve what's possible regarding learning, for example, or getting the best possible network. So, you have to prioritise what you want.
"Take the time to evaluate whether something is right for you, don't be too overzealous to think you can do everything."
Arief Kresnadi Ignatius Kasim
6. Seize opportunities to interact with people
"Meeting people at school has been so enriching when learning about different cultures. Due to the number of people [present] from all over the world, I found it easy to make the most out of learning and also have fun with my friends.
“I love that Singapore has allowed me to explore things beyond what I knew from living in America.”
Soledad Sanchez
7. Make sure to leave your comfort zone
"For international students, when coming to a new place, it feels natural to seek people from your country or eat food from your own country.
"That closes you off to new experiences because once you get comfortable, you just stop trying the local things. If you hang out with the locals, they can show you their culture."
Arief Kresnadi Ignatius Kasim
8. Take time to explore life off campus
“Balancing on-campus life with exploring Singapore has been a fulfilling experience.
"On weekends, rather than staying in, I plan activities with friends, such as hiking or visiting different hawker centres to try local food. These outings don't have to be extravagant but provide a great way to experience Singapore’s rich culture and vibrant life."
Shivani Pacheriwala
Bonus Tip: Engage in a campus community that broadens your network and horizons
At the start of their postgraduate journey, Arief, Soledad, Shivani, and Jackson joined the NBS Graduate Studies Brand Ambassadors, a community of enthusiastic students and alumni.
This involvement allowed them to connect with peers and alumni from various programs, while also developing skills in personal branding and content creation. Their participation in this vibrant community has significantly enriched their postgraduate experience, and they encourage students to get involved in campus communities during their studies.