The Setting Sail Series is a collection of blog posts from graduating Business School Captains that include their favorite Brandeis International Business School memories, as well as advice for incoming and returning students. In this blog post, graduated Captain, Sana Ijaz, MBA’25, shares her business school memories as a guide for incoming students.
A Guide for Incoming Students from a Business School Captain
As you step foot into Brandeis, you’ll likely hear that you’re already late in applying for internships or that everyone is ahead of you. There will be pressure to network, to approach alumni, to hustle for opportunities – these things are undoubtedly important, but they shouldn’t define your entire experience. The purpose of this blog is not just to add to that noise, but to offer a reminder that while networking and career-building are vital, so is maintaining your humanity. We are not robots who merely go through motions; we are people who need connection, joy, and authenticity in everything we do.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It’s easy to fall into familiar patterns, but the real magic happens when you push yourself beyond the comfortable. Talk to people you’ve never talked to before, attend events that push you out of your comfort zone, run for student elections, or even go on a solo hike. These experiences are more than just opportunities to learn about the world – they also open doors to some of the most meaningful connections you’ll make. These experiences will not only contribute to your personal growth but also enhance your international experience and exposure, which will be invaluable both during and after your time at Brandeis. Remember, these moments are not just about self-discovery, but also about networking in the most authentic way.
Resilience Will Be Your Greatest Teacher
The next two years will challenge you more than you could have imagined. Setbacks are inevitable, and you will face more obstacles than you might expect. But here’s the good news: you’ll learn how to deal with them. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks – it’s about how you react when things don’t go as planned. It’s a skill, and like any other, it can be honed over time. In the beginning, it may feel tough, but trust that every bump in the road is a chance for you to grow. The path to your goals may look different than you imagined, but I promise you, if you can navigate the roadblocks, you will reach where you need to go.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the most underrated tools for success, and it can be your anchor through this journey. Be grateful for the community you will build here, for the friends who will become your family, for the professors who will challenge you to think bigger, and for those small, everyday acts of kindness. The journey won’t always be easy, and when it gets tough, these moments of gratitude will remind you that you have so much to be thankful for. You’ll find that there are countless people at Brandeis who will make you feel at home, even when you’re far away from the place you call home.
Be Kind to Yourself
What you’re doing is not easy, and not everyone has the courage to take this step. Give yourself the grace and compassion you deserve. It’s easy to get caught up in comparison or to feel like you’re falling behind, but you’re doing something truly brave by pursuing this path. Life has presented you with this incredible opportunity, and there is a beautiful plan unfolding for you. Trust the process, even when it feels difficult, because in the end, it will all come together in ways you can’t yet see.
As you prepare to embark on this journey, remember that Brandeis is not just about your degree, it’s about the experiences, relationships, and growth you’ll gain along the way. Embrace the adventure – step out of your comfort zone, cultivate resilience, practice gratitude, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. The road won’t always be straight, but I promise it will be worth it.
Welcome to Brandeis, and I can’t wait to see all the incredible things you will accomplish.
