You dont even know what you are in for...

Well, I take it in a way that it prepare you to work your a** off in IB or consulting after your MBA.

*snicker*.... ah the wonders of your first year

How weird, I actually have the impression that all the warnings about being overbooked are a hoax. I have a very relaxed schedule, lots of small deliverables but nothing outrageous. Fridays are course-free days (that plus MBA Pub on Thursday afternoon makes Thursday a lets-get-horrendously-drunk night). Monday and Wednesday I finish at noon (2 morning classes), Tuesday and Thursday I finish at 3pm (2 am classes and 1 pm class). I plan to sport almost every day. However, I don't go out every night, only once or twice per week - when I do go out though, I do tend to drink till the bar kicks us out.

The one thing that is good for me is that I waived out of a course that was particularly time-consuming.

Recruiting will also be fairly relaxed since I'm applying for an internship in London, where there is only a single event (London Banking Days), plus a couple of informal events. All in all pretty relaxed (NYC recruits do suffer MUCH more though).

I guess the old motto is true: your schedule can be as busy as you want it to be.

I'd be curious to have other people's opinions about this actually. Is anyone in my situation, or are all of you super busy?

PS: good post River.

It's not just the USA schools!!!
I'm stupid busy with assignments and group work. I've only had 4 classes so far.
Schedule already filled up with enrichment talks and an entrepreneurship event as well.. Only 1 week in!!! 2 recruitment events... the banks start very early even in Hong Kong, but I;m not cgoing after the banks, so I have a bit of space there.

Everything takes as long as you're willing to give it. Wait till an hour before something is due, and it'll only take an hour to do it.

Haha, so true.

I rarely procrastinate, but luckily I'm not a perfectionist. I see one of my best qualities as having a knack for deciding when the extra effort won't be worth it and I have no trouble moving on when that's the case. I'd rather get an extra hour of sleep and be fresh for a presentation instead of making sure my powerpoint is completely flawless.

It's true, but what about the 15 hours spent on feeling guilty for not getting started.

I have already warned my wife (as she will be called in less than one month) that my schedule is going to be pretty hectic during school. Luckily, the six days of travel I have to do for work has been so awful, she'll think seeing me an hour each day seems tolerable in comparison.

Guys, its not that bad... seriously. If you are spending 16 hours a day on campus / only seeing your wife 1 hour a day, you are doing something wrong.

I think it was just the first week...things are settling down now. Pretty much 10 to 5 on campus these days but still doing several hours of work at night (only have one class but its 3hours everyday). Schedule definitely seems like it will be opening up once CIM (orientation) is over.

One class 3 hours a day? Every day? That sounds awful - I assume its some kind of pre-term thing?

yup...our first class

I'm doing something wrong, I just haven't been able to figure out what it is yet.
Part of it was that lots of programs had applications due this week, so on top of school I had to write several long application essays. Oh and I recertified my CCNP this friday too, so I have been studying for that. This week looks better (I think). Then the corporate presentations start.

I have 1 class everyday, 3 hours a day as well.. But not spending 15 hours a day on campus... Usually spend about 6 hours and then do some stuff at home. Probably spending around 60 hours a week on school related stuff (includiing weekends).

Wow that's a lot. I'm taking it easy now - lots of sports and social - but things are starting to accumulate, so today will be a working day (after rugby in the pub and before drinks tonight though), tomorrow same thing.

My course is a lot shorter. 12 months or 16 months if I do an internship, so will likely be more intense.

Ok then it totally makes sense. Something's gotta give if you have a short program.