Stern to the Spotlight: A Business Student’s Guide to Balancing Academics and Passions

BY: SNEHA TRIPATHY

The moment you step into NYU Stern, you are transported into an entirely new world—one that is characterized by a seemingly endless cycle of exams, interviews and networking events. Every few feet is an anxious student, sprinting to their next coffee chat or rush event. The air feels thick with ambition and competition, often leaving you with the impression that there is little space for you to pursue your personal passion. 

As someone who grew up learning singing for over a decade, I knew that music was something I would want to continue pursuing over the next four years at NYU. However, the moment I entered Stern and got my first looks into the demands and expectations of business school, I quickly became troubled about having to sacrifice my individuality in order to conform to this environment and follow the seemingly linear path towards success. 

However, as I approach the halfway point of my sophomore year at Stern, I have realized that my passion for music has served as an asset, rather than a hindrance, to my business school experience. Considering that many students at Stern have unique passions outside of business, I wanted to share the tips that encouraged me to further my interest in singing in the competitive Stern environment. I hope that these insights can encourage you to find the perfect balance between academics and their passions and also find ways to integrate them meaningfully.

Explore Beyond the Stern Bubble

Believe it or not, the most important step to take is to take a break from being constantly surrounded by Stern in order to grow one’s network and discover new opportunities. This could mean exploring the various other clubs Stern has to offer, including dance teams or gaming clubs. Sometimes, physically stepping outside of Tisch Hall or KMEC for a bit can be valuable. For example, I decided to sit in the Kimmel Commuter Lounge for a day and ended up meeting a Tisch student. Our brief conversation eventually resulted in a meaningful relationship as I assisted her on various projects, which helped me solidify my interest in the entertainment and media industry. 

Overall, exploring the many clubs that NYU has to offer or meeting people beyond the walls of Stern can be a great way to reconnect with personal passions and also unlock doors to new opportunities. You can also find someone or a community of like-minded individuals who share your interests and can support you in furthering your passions. And who knows? Some of these opportunities can help you in achieving larger, professional goals.

Befriend the Calendar

The most important skill to have in order to successfully balance passions with academics is time management. As business students juggling various deadlines and events, having a calendar is invaluable in order to stay on track. However, the calendar can be useful beyond the academic realm. Using it to intentionally allocate time towards your interests can make a significant difference.

On my Google Calendar, I usually designate a unique color to academic commitments and another for recreational activities. This practice provides me with a visual representation of how I am dividing my time. I then work around my schedule to allocate time towards practicing singing or brushing up on piano, treating it as a non-negotiable commitment. Whether it is spending an hour on weekday mornings or weekend afternoons, giving music practice the same treatment as any class or club event has helped me stay focused. As a result, I have been able to find a better balance, allowing me to do well inside and outside of the classroom without feeling too overwhelmed.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

Successfully pursuing your passions boils down to one factor: confidence. Oftentimes, the biggest barrier to pursuing your interests is a mental one. As you continue your journey as a Stern student, it may seem like all your peers are joining the most competitive finance clubs, securing prestigious job offers while also finding like-minded communities in the process. I understand that it is easy to feel like your creative passions do not fit into this mold and therefore, you feel behind because you are not following the same path.

I felt this way during my first year here but over time, I came to realize that there is no linear path to success here at Stern or just in general. Your interests are a way to help you develop unique skills and perspectives that you can bring to the table, which is a valuable quality to have in the business world. As a result, it is important that you embrace what makes you different in order to stand out in unexpected, but exciting ways. 

Conclusion

Overall, you do not have to choose between your academics and passions. Although business school may seem intimidating at first, it is important to stay true to yourself. Leverage New York City and its breadth of resources and opportunities to unleash your creativity and hidden potential. By finding a like-minded community or support system and balancing your time, you can grow in the areas that inspire you while also thriving in business school.