You know you have senioritis when...
a) You have problems getting out of bed for a 10 a.m. class, and once you arrive, you only think about what you want to do when you get out.
b) You constantly wish that there was a break between spring break and graduation.
c) It takes you four times longer to do any assignment, even if it consists of writing in a journal or researching fashion.
d) You can't even muster the energy to write your BusinessWeek Online MBA Journal entry on this very topic.
e) All of the above.

You guessed it, all of the above! Since spring break, I have had such difficulty getting motivated. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I just can't motivate myself to do anything. I can't even use nice weather as an excuse because it snowed the week I returned from break, and rained the entire month of April. You couldn't pay me to go outside in that. But, it seems you can't pay me to concentrate on school, either.

I decided at the beginning of the semester to take advantage of my last semester by taking all of the classes I can. I paid a lot of money to go to school here, and I want my money's worth. I would like to graduate knowing all that I can know. However, now that I have six weeks left, all I want to do is skip class and chill out. Every Monday and Wednesday I have an 8 a.m. class, which I kick myself for taking (and it doesn't help that since the beginning of the semester, it had rained or snowed every Monday or Wednesday morning!). Additionally, I am taking a course on work-life balance -- the only class that I care about. I have been dedicating this semester to personal, not academic, development (an emphasis that doesn't go over so well in business school).

As for the workload, I think things are probably the same, but my effort levels are much, much lower. For the first time in my B-school career, I have not turned in an assignment (I am still working on it, just haven't gotten around to finishing it...), and I am okay with that. I just can't make it a habit because I don't want to be playing catch up before graduation.

I also think that my lack of effort (or rather my lack of desire to put forth effort) has had an impact on my time management skills. I was actually more efficient in my prior three semesters of school. This semester, I just wanted to simplify my life. So, to have more free time I just dropped out of everything that I didn't have to do. I'd over-committed myself, and realized that I wasn't productive anymore, and I was miserable. Once I dropped out of a few things, I felt better, happier. I had lots of free time to procrastinate and not do my work until the last minute.

So, my advice to anyone attending business school is, don't over-commit. If you do, don't be afraid to back out. Do what is best for you, not what you think others expect you to do. Enjoy your time. Don't make business school a chore.

I've mentioned spring break a few times, and I guess that's because it has been the highlight of my semester. I was fortunate enough to take a for-credit academic trip to Cuba (along with fellow MBA Journal Writer Jillian Adler). The trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A group of about 65 people went, representing Columbia Business School. We spent a week visiting various sites in Havana and Trinidad, including museums, businesses, government buildings, and universities. I was extremely impressed with the people and beauty of the country, and Cuban men loved me (I have to admit, it was pretty great for an old girl's ego).

Additionally, the political, educational, and social aspects of the trip made it a unique experience. Everywhere we went, there were political undertones, even at a resort we visited. I went on the trip with no opinions formed in advance. I wanted to face it with an open mind. And, now, I do have some opinions (which I won't share here). But, my biggest emotion regarding the trip is sadness that I may never be able to return. And, if the U.S. decides to lift the embargo (or the blockade, as referred to by Cubans), the place will be swarming with Americans, and it just won't be the same. Regardless, it was a life-changing experience for me, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.

At my last entry, I had already decided to go to work for L'Oreal, the company with which I had my summer internship. In terms of job stuff, the most difficult decision I have to make is when to start. Personally, I would prefer to start at the end of the summer because this is feasibly my last time having such a long period of time off. I would love to take the summer to travel, spend time with my family, and just sleep late everyday. However, financially, this may not be possible. I need to be able to live for those few months, and I can't go move in with my mom, again. I will have to figure that one out pretty soon.

And, lastly, how am I approaching graduation and returning to the real world? I am actually in denial about this topic. I like school, particularly the freedom I have – months off at a time, not having to go to class if I choose not to, only having go to school for 3–6 hours out of a day. However, I do miss a regular paycheck, eating real meals regularly, being able to pay my bills, etc. I haven't really thought about not seeing Uris Hall (the business school building) on a regular basis, anymore, or about not attending class. School seems so natural to me, now, and I think that I might miss it, a bit. I haven't thought a lot about how I'll keep in touch with friends, either. But, if I use undergraduate school as an example, I tend to see and spend time with individuals I like. I make time for them. I assume that the same will be true for B-school.




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