Between Classroom Lectures and Late-night Conversations: Tracing Lived Experiences in PGP YL

If there is one thing we have learnt at PGP YL, it is that no two days are ever the same.

Yet every day follows a familiar rhythm. It begins with rushing to class after far too little sleep and often ends with conversations that stretch well past midnight. Between those moments lies everything that makes life at ISB memorable, from challenging academics and club activities to friendships, late-night coffees, and countless moments of shared learning.

Where It All Began

Everything started on 13 June, when we first spotted the Indian School of Business board from a distance. More than excitement, there was a quiet sense of accomplishment.

Walking through the campus for the first time, surrounded by lush greenery and striking architecture, felt surreal. Our first interactions with classmates happened while collecting the keys to our quads. None of us knew then that these strangers would soon become teammates, friends, and an invaluable support system.

By the time registration at the Motilal Oswal Executive Centre was complete, it finally felt real. We were now part of ISB.

Orientation Week Set the Rhythm

Many of the routines that define life today can be traced back to Orientation Week.

It was one of the busiest weeks of the programme, yet every morning we woke up excited to do it all over again. Sessions, GOELs(our ISB Dining hall), more sessions, and more GOELs quickly became the rhythm of our days.

Our world revolved around the Recreation Centre, the Atrium, Khemka Auditorium, and our quads. Classes still felt distant, but friendships formed almost instantly.

Outside the sessions, we discovered that some of the most meaningful learning happened elsewhere. Madras filter coffee became a late-night ritual. Board games turned surprisingly competitive. Badminton knockouts stretched into the evening, while the gym, squash courts, tennis courts, and swimming pool became spaces where conversations flowed as naturally as friendships.

Orientation Week itself was packed with memorable moments, from the Dominoes Challenge and Squid Games-inspired activities to club introductions and sessions led by Mr Prasanna and the GSB team. Together, they offered our first glimpse of the opportunities that awaited us.

Finding a Rhythm Beyond Academics

As the day gives way to evening, the campus takes on a completely different energy.

Quad parties, community dinners, and late-night celebrations bring everyone together. Talent Night remains one of the highlights, with students showcasing dance, music, theatre, and performances of every kind. What made it truly memorable was not just the talent on display, but the encouragement each performer received, whether they were experienced or stepping onto a stage for the first time.

Throughout those early weeks, the dedication of the YL’27 student leaders was impossible to miss. From the Traffic Light Party to club announcements and orientation activities, every event reflected the effort they invested in making us feel welcome.

A Typical Day That Is Never Really Typical

Some moments stay with you long after they pass.

Walking into our classroom for the first time and seeing our names on the desks was one of them. It was a small gesture that made the dream of studying at ISB feel tangible.

Soon after, LinkedIn was filled with posts from our batch sharing their journeys. Watching our professional networks grow, while also receiving messages from juniors seeking advice, reminded us that even though our own journey had only just begun, it had already started inspiring others.

Today, a typical day often begins after barely four hours of sleep. Sleeping at 4.30 am and waking up at 8 am somehow becomes normal. Endless coffee and sleepy mornings are balanced by engaging classroom discussions and professors who constantly challenge the way we think.

Almost overnight, the focus shifts from exploring campus to balancing academics, sports, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. Every day becomes an exercise in prioritisation.

The Learning Between the Lectures

Life at ISB is never confined to classrooms.

Between lectures, the gardens are filled with conversations. Someone is always playing board games, preparing for club interviews, attending dance workshops, musical evenings, literary events, or career sessions. Others choose late-night walks across campus, while early risers begin their day with a run or a workout.

Even on quieter evenings, opening the curtains is enough to hear music, laughter, and conversations drifting across the quads.

As quizzes and midterms approach, the pressure increases, but so does the support. Notes are shared generously, doubts are discussed openly, and classmates are always willing to help one another.

The collaborative spirit extends beyond our own cohort. Conversations with students from PGP, PGP MAX, i-Ventures, and other programmes are driven by curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn from one another. Even when assignments are due the next morning, someone is always ready for a conversation over coffee.

Becoming a Young Leader

Perhaps that is what makes learning at ISB different.

Open-ended assessments do more than test knowledge. They encourage us to question assumptions, think critically, and approach problems from multiple perspectives.

Combined with a cohort that brings diverse experiences, remarkable energy, and genuine generosity, every day becomes an opportunity to grow.

A day at PGP YL is not defined only by lectures or assignments. It is found in the conversations between classes, the laughter echoing through the quads, the music playing late into the night, the pressure of deadlines, the excitement of club interviews, the friendships built over midnight coffee, and the quiet confidence that comes from being surrounded by people who want to see you succeed.

Somewhere between academics, activities, and everything that fills the hours between, we slowly begin to discover what it truly means to be a Young Leader.

Synopsis:

Kashish, PGP YL Class of 2028 reflects on life at ISB’s PGP YL, where no two days are the same. From Orientation Week and classroom learning to late-night conversations, club activities, sports, and friendships, the programme blends rigorous academics with a vibrant campus experience. Together, these moments shape not only daily life at ISB, but also the journey of becoming a Young Leader.