At HBS, I’m a “Section Chair” for the first time. HBS students are divided into “Sections” when they first arrive, and each Section Chair is the first faculty member with whom the students meet. We gather with them six times over three days and have periodic check-ins with them.

The HBS Case Method is challenging. And, it takes time to get used to it. But, the students do adapt to it, and the experience transforms them.

My Section is about to leave for their retreat. I sent them this note.

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Dear Section J:

Hello!

I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of you during office hours and in between classes. Truth be told, when I leave for the day and go from my office to the car, I take my time. My hope is that if I slowly creep around, I can run into some of you and, fortunately, I usually do. Seeing you is one of the highlights of my day.

As you ready for your Section retreat, I want you to know that my thoughts are with you. And, if you are feeling that the work is a bit much and overwhelming, I want to say this: you right now are in the hardest time of the HBS experience. The fatigue, uncertainty, and stress you may be experiencing are normal. Yes, that’s right: that is how you should be feeling. And, it soon will get better.

A long time ago, when my Section-mates and I were in those seats and dealing with three-case days, doing things for the first time while you learn things for the first time, and coping with so much, the stress levels came down after mid-terms.

As you know, those “tests” count for zero or very little. But, we felt relief, as we suddenly became “calibrated”: we knew which courses needed more attention and which ones needed more time. As a result, we became better at allocating our time. And, as super-achievers, that was a relief.

As I shared with you during START, grades do not matter, and please focus on the learning. As Mitch Weiss said in Klarman, the majority of the class will get a 3 at some point. And, that’s OK.

There are 90,000+ HBS alumni. We all went through what you are going through. And, we not only survived, but we gradually were able to thrive. And, because we did, so will you. If we did it, you will also.

There is no other school in the world like HBS, honestly. No one else employs the Case Method like we do. It takes commitment from you and from faculty, but we do it for one reason: it works. Our graduates hit the ground running after Commencement because we become accustomed after 500+ cases to: make consequential decisions with incomplete information while under pressure.

At my 25th reunion, my Section looked back, and we were grateful. HBS changed the arcs of our lives and those of our families. We became better leaders, yes, but better human beings most of all.

As your Section Chair, I ask you think to about this as you head into retreat: you have been chosen to be here, and there are no admissions “mistakes.” You are changing and growing. The Case Method is rewiring your brains. It requires effort, resilience, and humility.

This is my first time as Section Chair. You are special to me. I am in your corner and am cheering you on! Please remember what I mentioned during START: “Life is a process, and HBS is a process. Trust the process.”

You are where you need to be.

I look forward to seeing you on October 1. I have confidence in you. Do not give up, and lean on each other. Here, we prepare. Just do it.

Fondly,

Jo