You may have noticed that August was a little quieter than usual on The MBA Student Voice. With Orientation right around the corner, there's no doubt that Anderson's Class of 2015 has been busy preparing for the start of school. What does it take to be Anderson ready? Here's a look at how I prepared to become a Bruin.
1. I quit my job!
I loved working at Liberty in North Korea.
Bittersweet as it was, this was the moment when I felt my MBA journey begin. I had been looking forward to going back to school for quite a while and the prospect of starting something new in a big city and at a school I was proud to attend was truly exciting.
2. I focused on family.
From left: Celebrating my sister's wedding, visiting my Grandma Gert with my mom, in Seoul with my girlfriend Dao
At the time I quit my job, I had been abroad for the better part of five years. Returning stateside meant saying "Goodbye" to my long time significant other (I miss you, Dao!) and reconnecting with hometown friends and family (Hi, Grandma!). I know school will be intense in the Fall, so I've made a point to try to adjust to my new long-distance relationship and take advantage of the time I have with those I care about most.
3. I studied every day.
The Math & Excel for Management textbooks
Hats off to all my classmates who have prepared for school while fully-employed this summer. With Anderson's optional Math for Management & Excel for Management prep courses, assigned readings and even homework due before classes begin, I already feel like a full-time student.
4. I corrected bad habits.
Life changes a lot when you go back to school. Doing my best to embrace this, I've taken a good, hard look at my everyday routine. That half-hearted 45-minute workout? Let's make it an intense 30 minutes! Distracted by my favorite website during Skype calls? Close that browser! My hope is that little changes like these will help me make better use of my time and have my mind and body in tip-top shape when school starts.
5. I went shopping.
Going back to school is a great excuse to get new gear. A few of my favorites buys: a colorful cover for my Anderson laptop, an eco-friendly bento box, a personalized coffee tumbler and a handy, three-tone pencil case. These fun supplies look sharp and will be super useful when it's time to hit the books.
6. I moved to LA!
At the center of UCLA's beautiful campus.
Here's to a great summer and a much anticipated start to the school year!
Daniel Genter, MBA '15 - Follow UCLA Anderson on Twitter.
