Name – AADI VAIDYA
Currently in – SYBMS
Topped in which year / sem – SYBMS – 3rd Sem
College – St. Xavier’s College Mumbai
Percentage of Marks: 82 %
First of all, A Hearty Congratulations to you on this Brilliant Success…!!
Tell us about yourself and your college:
I am an SYBMS student in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. I am from Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh and currently living in the Xavier’s Boys’ hostel in the campus.
How did you plan to get into BMS?
Honestly I was not aware about the course after I completed school as no colleges in northern part of the country offer this though BBA is a parallel course. I planned to be an engineer but things didn’t turn out well. After thorough research I planned to join Xavier’s BMS and I guess that turned out to be the best decision of my life.
Is the BMS syllabus just what you had expected it to be?
As I said, I had researched well before joining the course and my father hailing from an HR background gave me an insight into what the course would mostly contain. So, yes I had an idea. Only thing that was a little unexpected was the numerous projects and the practical work one needs to do in BMS.
Were you expecting to top in the exams? To whom would you credit this success to?
No, not really. I was from a small far off place coming to Mumbai for the first time and wasn’t very confident of competing with students here. However, I always worked hard and that proved fruitful in the end. Credit first of all to my parents who had the faith of sending me to Xavier’s, Mumbai. Apart from that the amazing and supporting faculty I got in Xavier’s. Last but not the least my hostelite friends who virtually constitute my family here in Mumbai.
Did you start preparing right from the first day of your BMS?
Frankly, first semester I did since I didn’t know how to go about it then. Best way was to start working hard as I knew that won’t go waste.
How did you allot time to different subjects? (Did you follow a self-made timetable? And how many hours did you study per day? Had you joined any coaching classes or was it just self-study?)
I didn’t follow a set rule. Moreover, small class of just 60 and being a self financed course ensured teachers paid good attention to every student. I tried grasping as much as possible in class itself and then revise things once back to the hostel. Reading up newspapers helped a lot in case study solving and general knowledge important for writing many business exams.
Did you participate in college fests or extra-curricular activities?(If yes, please mention the details) Do you think a BMS student can manage both studies and extra activities?
Yes, why not. I feel participating in extracurricular activities is equally ( if not more)important than studying for any BMS student. I volunteered in first year in the Marketing department of Malhar (Xavier’s inter-college festival) and as a Venue Management volunteer for Janfest (annual classical musical festival in Xavier’s organised by the “Indian Music Group”) with maestros performing. Apart from that I also got selected to represent India in the Global Harvard College in Asia Program (HCAP) conference held in Harvard University, Boston, USA. I was the only person from FY on the delegation from India comprising of 6 other SYs.
In the second year, I rose to the position of Organiser in the Indian Performing Arts department (IPA) of Malhar which gave me a gist of event management. Also, became an executive of the Indian Music Group mentioned earlier. Was the head of newly formed Marketing department this year for Janfest 2012. I also joined in the Xavier’s Placement Cell as the student coordinator from BMS and am also on the board of Council for International Programs (CIP), St. Xavier’s College Mumbai.
Today, we often come across students committing suicide out of failure, depression or tension of exams. What do you have to say about this? Did you use any special techniques for stress management?
Failure is just a step to success as they say. I never wanted to be in BMS but now love it. Whatever destiny has in store for you accept that and work hard to reach at the top in that particular field. I just followed this philosophy and never let failure demotivate me. I am just in second year right now and know there can be many failures in store but I know I can come out unscathed now since I have learned how to tackle it rationally.
Industrial Visits – are they really informative for bms students? Which industries have you visited?
Definitely. BMS is about practical learning and that is what is the USP of the course. For my projects I have visited Tata Voltas, Reliance Power, Reserve Bank of India, Sahara City Homes etc.
Do you think a BMS student is more flooded with assignments, projects and internal exams?
It is but that is how it works. Otherwise it would be any other normal course. You have to adapt to that and then it becomes a fun learning experience.
Do you like being busy with projects, presentations, assignments and internal exams? Or you would like to be enjoying out with friends all that time instead?
Not all that times but yes friends are definitely important as well. One needs to find the perfect balance. Moreover, group projects bring in both the experiences together.
What changes would you like to bring in management education in India?
More focus on undergraduate management courses like BMS and BBA. If government funds them like the regular BA or BSc reputation will definitely go up and this would be a step worth a thousand small changes.
What message would you like to give to the coming batches of BMS students?
It’s an amazing course with a lot of scope. A lot of hard work and fun at the same time. You learn through experience which is the best thing. Also, great placements ensure that there is a future to the course.
What are your future plans?
I plan to work for a couple of years and then pursue my MBA.
Your Feedback for BMS.co.in?
A very nice initiative. Especially for students who want information on the course BMS.co.in can serve as an amazing forum. Good job. All the best!
Congratulations once again and wish you all the very best for you career!
Interview by Aashiya Khan,
Campus Representative
[SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce-BMS.co.in]
Thanks a lot Aadi for your valuble time. It was great interviewing you :)!!!