How Term 1 at ISB Changed the Way I Learn

I walked into ISB believing I understood how I learn. I had my systems, my methods, and a quiet confidence in how I approached academics. That belief did not last very long. Term 1 introduced subjects like Financial Accounting, Economics, and Statistics, areas that did not just add difficulty but challenged the way I processed information. For the first time in a long while, knowing how to study was not enough. I had to relearn how to learn.

The Moment Confusion Took Over

The moment that truly broke this illusion came during an Economics class. As we worked through curves and equilibrium logic, I realised I was lost, not because I had not revised, but because I did not yet understand what problem we were trying to solve. That realisation was unsettling for someone who usually likes having things figured out.
That discomfort forced me to slow down. I went back to my notes, revisited fundamentals, and allowed myself to sit with confusion instead of rushing past it. That moment quietly reset how I approached every subject that followed.

Relearning Under Academic Pressure

Exams in Term 1 came with a level of pressure I had not fully anticipated. I misjudged how much preparation the midterms would require, and that lesson stayed with me. There was anxiety in recognising that gap, but also clarity, because once I saw it, I knew where I needed to work.

Over time, I became more deliberate. I spent less time skimming and more time truly engaging with the material. The pressure did not disappear, but my response to it changed. I learned how to pace myself, estimate effort better, and trust the process rather than panic through it.

Unexpected Challenges and Quiet Lessons

Some challenges caught me off guard. I had not expected verbal communication to feel difficult, yet my first camera-facing assignment made that clear. Completing even a two-minute video took far more effort than I had imagined.

Critical Thinking also felt abstract at first, almost detached from reality. By the end of the term, however, I could see how it shaped decision-making, problem framing, and real-world judgement. These were not just academic skills. They were life skills in disguise.

Learning Together

What truly made Term 1 survivable, and meaningful, were the people. Being part of a close-knit batch meant learning was never a solitary experience. Late-night explanations, hurried voice notes before class, and patient peer support often mattered more than any textbook. The familiarity and shared struggle created an environment where learning felt collective rather than competitive.

Beyond Grades

Somewhere along the way, I realised that if I measured Term 1 only by grades, I would miss what it was actually teaching me. ISB is about navigating ambiguity, managing pressure, building relationships, and finding joy amid intensity.

As Term 2 begins, I carry forward not just a broader knowledge base, but a better understanding of myself. How I learn. How I adapt. How I show up. Term 1 did not just test me academically. It reshaped how I approach growth, with more patience, more curiosity, and far less fear of not knowing.

Synopsis

Term 1 at ISB challenged Sanya Sharma’s (PGP YL Co ‘27) assumptions about learning itself. From grappling with unfamiliar subjects and exam pressure to navigating communication gaps and peer-driven support, the experience reshaped how I approach growth. Beyond grades, it taught me patience, adaptability, and the value of collective learning.