My interest in administration led me to IIM Rohtak: Tanya Ramdev

IIM Rohtak

“If there was a dish named Mathematics, this girl would eat it all day!” is what my teacher used to say about me, when I was a student of class 10^th. Being a Maths geek, I was also interested in Science and Humanities. This was the reason why I chose core non-medical stream in class 11^th and 12^th. Like any non-medical student, I too was an Engineering aspirant. And yet again, I challenged myself to the extreme by selecting Aeronautical stream for my undergraduate education. Rocket Science was not typically what it seems to be, and even though the subjects were challenging, I realized that there was more to life that I wanted. Working at a few positions of responsibilities at the college like the class representative or organizing events made the foundations for this realization. The epiphany came to me while working with my grandfather at his school for an underprivileged school. I wanted to work at a place where I could make decisions, lead people, influence people and make any little contribution to the society I could. And this is where management studies came into the picture. I had a peek of an administrator life, watching my parents as principals of educational institutes and also my grandfather, but this certainly was a different ball game. I took the time to ask exhausting questions to any known person working in the field of management, and then came on to the decision of doing MBA. Cut short to the CAT preparation and results, I have been able to join IIM Rohtak for MBA and couldn’t ask for more. 

How I prepared for MBA admission

Go and ask any CAT aspirant and he would clearly state what he/she is trying for: IIM (Indian Institute of Management). I was no different. I enrolled myself in coaching classes at BullsEye and there was no looking back. The curriculum in the institute designed by management pass-outs, having experience in this industry, is very useful. The teachers too are amazing and very knowledgeable. But as said, “You can take the horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink”. Success in entrance examinations for business schools like CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT by GMAC, etc. comes from burning the midnight oil along with a lot of smart work. After not achieving enough marks to get admission in a good business school, I decided to drop a year and appear for the examinations again. This time, I did smart work. Mocks after mocks and learning every single day was my routine. I read as many novels as I could, solved as many questions of varied approaches as I could and finally, came the D-Day. CAT 2017 was termed as easy for Verbal Analysis, difficult for Data Interpretation and medium for Quantitative Analysis. The technique of not losing your mind on a few bad questions through deep breathing and being aware sailed me through, and I was able to crack CAT. The story was not over, as interviews are a rigorous process of more competition too. I sailed through them by being true to myself and again, by practicing. At last, I got the admission letter from IIM Rohtak and then, began another amazing journey.

Life at IIM Rohtak

Life at IIM Rohtak is a different world altogether. A person residing outside cannot imagine the everyday dynamics inside the college. The beginning of our days has a specific time, but there is no specific time for its end. Forcefully getting up every day and then, waking my roommate up is the first thing on my to-do list. Breakfast is something we have forgotten and biscuits or homemade sweets have taken its place. Back to back classes, presentations, completing other responsibilities and networking in the midst of all, this is how we spend our day. The next part of the day actually seems like the next day, as we return to our rooms, take a power nap and begin again, working on assignments. Thanks to the curriculum of IIMs, we do almost everything in groups. This is where the fun-cum-challenge part of doing work lies. And we meet our deadlines with a perfect mix of a lot of work, singing, dancing, table-tennis, some disagreements and a lot of tea breaks.

As if all this is not enough, and if like me, one is a member of any club or committee, you always have more work to do. Being a student of IIM gives me the chance to be a part of various events. There is a new task to undertake every single day. I have had the chance to enjoy working at levels of writing, marketing, organizing, dancing and what not.

Studying at a B-school like IIM Rohtak encompasses exploring possibilities through exposures. I could never have had dreamt of being the person I am today after one and a half month here. And I cannot wait to get up the next day, (although forcefully) to take challenges head-on. 

About the Author:

My name is Tanya Ramdev, and I am currently pursuing Masters of Business Administration at IIM Rohtak. I had done my graduation in Aeronautical Engineering. I am an avid reader, sometimes a good writer and always a dreamer. I also practice Yoga and meditation during the free time I make for myself in the midst of chasing my dreams. Being a management student, I believe in smart work and making an impact.