Life at ISB: Where Every Day Teaches, Tests, and Transforms You

Monday

8:00 AM – Mondays start with the dreaded early class. It is Data Narratives and Storytelling, so I spend the morning exploring graphs on Tableau and Power BI. By the 10 AM break, I am already tired and walking around with my smoothie as breakfast.

10:15 AM – Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital is next. Every session brings a new case. Today we negotiated founder stakes, which meant some wins, some bruised egos, and a lot of learning.

12:15 PM – Lunch at Student Village. Our cook Rohina tried Afghani paneer from a YouTube recipe and nailed it. After lunch, a quick call with mom and a short nap before getting back to work.

4:00 PM – Met my group for the Flipkart case competition on cracking the ₹9,000 crore video commerce market. The session was equal parts brainstorming and chatting, but we made good progress.

6:00 PM – Quick gym session followed by avocado toast and tea from my quaddie. Some gossip, a walk around the ring road, and we easily crossed 10,000 steps.

9:00 PM – Study group meeting for an assignment and another short walk before calling it a night.

Tuesday

7:00 AM – The weather was perfect, so the Yoga SIG took our mats out on the lawns. Fresh air and stretches under the morning sun made for an ideal start.

10:15 AM – Daily Sustainability quiz done, followed by a discussion on the tragedy of the commons. We even recorded a short podcast on it, which was surprisingly fun.

11:30 AM – Breakfast at Goel’s with the usual eggs, coffee, and laughter.

1:30 PM – Back to Student Village for some pre-reads and notes before my Leverage Buyouts class. Managed to squeeze in a short nap too.

5:00 PM – Going Private, Going Public is one of the toughest but most fascinating courses this term. Once you get the logic of LBOs, it all starts clicking.

7:30 PM – Dinner at a friend’s studio while planning for the ISB Leadership Summit. We listed leaders to reach out to, which was exciting and slightly overwhelming.

9:00 PM – Ended the day at the badminton courts. Late-night games have become the best mix of sport, friendship, and networking.

Wednesday

8:00 AM – Data Narratives again. Same Monday struggle, same smoothie rescue.

10:15 AM – Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital. More cases and negotiations.

12:15 PM – Lunch at Student Village with another Rohina special.

4:00 PM – Flipkart project recording and mock-ups. Even got a marketing expert friend to review in exchange for Niloufer chai.

6:00 PM – Gym, avocado toast, gossip, ring road walk.

9:00 PM – Study group meeting and lights out.

Thursday

7:00 AM – Yoga SIG on the lawns with perfect weather.

10:15 AM – Sustainability quiz, discussion, and another podcast attempt.

11:30 AM – Breakfast at Goel’s, eggs and coffee as usual.

3:30 PM – Pre-reads and class prep.

5:00 PM – Going Private, Going Public continues.

7:30 PM – Dinner and ILS planning at a friend’s studio.

9:00 PM – Swapped badminton for board games. Played Catan for hours, laughed endlessly, and wrapped up around 3 AM.

Friday

10:00 AM – No classes today, but we had a leadership talk by Zepto’s CMO. He shared sharp insights on what works in Indian marketing and why speed often beats perfection.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Student Village, then straight to the LRC for assignment work. Planned a short session but the entire afternoon vanished.

5:30 PM – Coffee break, more scribbling, and finally a decent draft.

7:00 PM – Wrapped up early for once and enjoyed a calm Friday night.

Saturday

8:00 AM – Weekend started with pickleball. Lots of laughs and some questionable shots, but great fun.

10:00 AM – Post-game breakfast and back to campus.

12:00 PM – Gave a quiz for another case competition. Now waiting for results.

3:00 PM – Lazy afternoon of reading and catching up with friends.

11:00 PM – Section party night that went on till 5 AM. Music, dancing, conversations, and nonstop energy.

5:30 AM – Tradition calls for breakfast at Rameshwaram after the party. Nothing beats dosas after an all-nighter.

Sunday

11:00 AM – Slept in after the marathon night.

3:00 PM – Met the ILS team to draft and send out leader invitations for the summit. Lots of coordination but exciting progress.

6:00 PM – Final push for the Flipkart case video. We scripted, shot, and edited before the deadline.

11:00 PM – Ended the week quietly. Exhausted but happy after another packed ISB week.

That is ISB life, packed days, plenty of learning, fun detours, and paneer recipes straight from YouTube.

Why ISB

Before ISB, I was living the classic high-growth, high-impact life at BCG X. As a Senior Data Analyst, I led analytics modules across exciting consulting projects that spanned industries and geographies, with many late nights filled with dashboards and models. 

I built AI-driven solutions, automated what could be automated, and optimized every process. I loved it, but eventually, I wanted more, not just responsibility but perspective. I wanted to think strategically and lead more holistically. That is when ISB began to feel like the right next step.

What drew me here was not only the curriculum or rankings, though that helped. It was the chance to grow with equally curious and driven people. I wanted to be in rooms where every conversation pushed me to think differently, and that is exactly what happened.

Key Learnings: Managing Energy, Not Just Time

The first few weeks were intense with utility, willingness to pay, cash flow statements, and Game Theory, which I now see in everything. I still remember the first time I looked at a financial statement and did not feel lost. That was my mini Eureka moment. Suddenly, numbers told stories, and strategy made sense.

Then came the LSAT simulation. I learned that leadership is not about authority. It is about trust, purpose, and knowing when to listen. That lesson stuck.

ISB has reshaped how I deal with ambiguity. I have become more structured through courses like Managerial Economics and Accounting, and more human in how I lead. I have learned to influence, not instruct, and to listen deeply.

The diversity of peers has been the best part. From defense officers to artists, every interaction has broadened my view. I have learned to zoom out and consider angles I would never have thought of.

I came here thinking I would return to consulting or strategy. I still might, but now I want to be at the intersection of technology, policy, and economics, where systems, people, and change meet.

Balancing everything is not easy, but I have learned to manage my energy, not just my time. Study groups, late-night walks, jamming sessions, and P2P prep have become part of my ISB fabric. I used to study solo. Now, I thrive in group sessions where learning and laughter go hand in hand.

And yes, I survived Professor Tantri’s paper. It was brutal, but I walked out knowing I could endure and adapt. I have joined the Operations, BTC, and Consulting Clubs and plan to stay active in social clubs too. They have helped me engage beyond class, expand my network, and give back in meaningful ways.

What Lies Ahead: Stretch, Stumble, Grow

Looking ahead, I hope to apply everything I have learned, not just frameworks like CAGE or Porter’s, but the mindset of asking better questions and aligning people toward shared goals. ISB has not just taught me business. It has helped me find my voice, trust my instincts, and stay rooted in my reason for being here.

If you are wondering whether it is worth it, come prepared to stretch, stumble, and grow. And do not lose sight of who you are along the way. That version of you is the one ISB helps shine.

Synopsis

Stuti Juyal, PGP Class of 2026, transitioned from a high-growth analytics role at BCG X to pursue a broader strategic perspective at ISB. Passionate about technology and leadership, she is learning to navigate ambiguity, influence with empathy, and lead with purpose. Her ISB journey reflects the power of balance, managing energy, not just time, while growing through every challenge, collaboration, and conversation along the way.