June 29, 2018 - The Beginning
I woke up around 10:30, and my mom was already on my case, worried about my future plans. My dad had left for work, and a steaming cup of coffee sat on the table. Pretty standard morning, right? I grabbed my phone, which was charging, and saw a sweet "Good morning" text from my girlfriend before she headed to work. Then, I noticed an email from IIM Kozhikode. My heart raced because the final waitlist was coming out, and I hoped I’d get in. When I read the email, I jumped with joy. I had secured a spot at one of India's top business schools, IIM Kozhikode. It was finally happening!
Heading to the Campus
On the plane, I chatted with a middle-aged man sitting next to me. When I mentioned I was going to IIMK for the PGP program, he was impressed and said, "Oh, I’m sitting next to one of the country's brightest minds." Those words will stick with me for a long time.
Arriving at IIM Kozhikode
Sometimes it takes just a week to feel at home in a new place. I arrived at the campus a week ago, and it already feels like where I belong. The campus is stunning, even better than the pictures. Nestled between two hills, it’s a nature lover’s dream and the perfect place to study. We have everything, from the Arjuna Path to an amphitheater, plus a massive library and auditoriums. And the cherry on top? Our very own Business Museum.
Living Arrangements
The living conditions are top-notch, with AC rooms and multiple dining options for students. There are snack and tea stalls everywhere, and ramps ensure accessibility for everyone. You can choose between single or double rooms, but honestly, the room is just for sleeping. The whole campus feels like home.
A Typical Day at IIMK
Describing a typical day here is tough because no day is the same. From the calm excitement of the first day to pulling an all-nighter in the first week, it’s been amazing. The seniors are super helpful, a tradition at IIMK, and the professors make us feel welcome and push us to do our best.
Our day starts at 9:15 with four lectures, each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. With breaks, we wrap up by 3:45 or 4 unless there are extra lectures. Then it's time for assignments, case studies, cultural events, parties, and placement tasks. Suddenly, it’s 3 AM. What?!
My belief that I need 8 hours of sleep is out the window. I haven’t slept more than 5 hours a night, and it’s just the start.
To sum it up:
You have to experience it to truly understand!
Studying at IIM Kozhikode in the Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) has its ups and downs. While the curriculum is comprehensive and covers a lot, I find that the emphasis on theory can be overwhelming. The exams happen every three months, and classes often end just a day before the exams, which makes preparation tough.
The faculty is a mixed bag; some are really good, like Surya Prakash Pati and Aishwarya, but there are others who seem out of touch. Overall, it's a challenging yet rewarding experience, but I wish the faculty would be more understanding about our busy schedules.
June 29, 2018 - The beginning of my journey
I woke up late, around 10:30, with my mom worriedly asking about my future plans while my dad had already gone to work. A steaming cup of coffee was waiting for me on the table. Just an ordinary morning, right? I grabbed my phone, which had been charging, and checked my messages. My girlfriend had sent me sweet good morning texts before heading to her job. Then, I noticed an email from IIM Kozhikode, and my heart started racing. The final waitlist was out, and I had a shot. Reading the email, I jumped with joy. I was in! I had secured a spot at one of India's top business schools, IIM Kozhikode. It was a dream come true!
Heading to Campus
On the flight, I sat next to a friendly uncle. We exchanged smiles, and soon he asked why I was traveling. I told him I had been accepted into IIMK's renowned PGP program and was heading there for the first time. He looked impressed and said something I'll never forget: "Oh, then I am speaking to one of the brightest minds in the country."
Arriving at IIM Kozhikode
Sometimes it takes just a week to feel at home; other times, a lifetime isn't enough. After being on campus for just a week, it already felt like it was where I belonged. The campus is stunning, much more so than the pictures I had seen. Nestled between two hills, IIMK is a haven for nature lovers and offers an ideal setting for learning. We have everything from the Arjuna Path to an amphitheater. Plus, there's a massive library, auditoriums, and even our own Business Museum.
Living on Campus
The living conditions are top-notch. We have AC rooms and multiple hostels that cater to all our needs. There are also plenty of snack and tea stalls scattered around. Accessibility is a priority, with ramps installed to ensure everyone, including those with physical challenges, can move around easily. You can choose between single or double rooms, but honestly, the room is just for sleeping. The entire campus feels like home.
A Day in the Life at IIMK
Describing a typical day at IIMK is tough because no day is the same. From the first exciting and calm day to pulling an all-nighter in the first week, the experience has been incredible. The seniors have been super supportive, which is a hallmark of IIMK. The professors make us feel welcome and motivate us to push our limits.
Our day kicks off at 9:15 with four lectures, each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. With breaks, we usually wrap up by 3:45 or 4:00, assuming there aren't any extra sessions. After that, it's all about assignments, case studies, cultural events, parties, placement tasks, and suddenly, it's 3 AM. Wait, what?
The idea that "eight hours of sleep is necessary" has been completely debunked for me. I haven't slept more than five hours a night since I got here, and this is just the start.
To sum it all up:
You have to experience it to believe it!
My experience in the Post Graduate Programme in Liberal Studies at IIM Kozhikode has been fantastic so far. The campus is stunning, often referred to as “God's own campus,” and the facilities are great. I love how the course integrates liberal studies with management, offering a fresh perspective. The faculty is friendly and engages well with students, though communication can sometimes feel hierarchical.
The campus is very active with clubs and events, which makes life here fun and engaging. The fees are relatively high, but overall, the experience is worth it, especially with the opportunity for internships and diverse placements.
I've been part of the Post Graduate Programme in Management (Finance) at IIM Kozhikode, and I can say campus life here is vibrant and full of learning. The interaction with peers from different backgrounds is enriching, and there are many events and fests that keep the atmosphere lively. The faculty is well-qualified and the student-faculty ratio is decent, which helps in getting personalized attention.
However, the fees are on the higher side, around 20.5 lakhs, which can be a concern for many. Overall, it’s a great place to study, especially if you're interested in finance.
IIM Kozhikode, Kozhikode