Hello, Section F:

I looked at your weekly calendar this week and saw: problems sets, multiple three-case days, and the upcoming Shad Exercise. It reminded me of my RC year: right now for you is peak pressure.

For my Section, the pressure went down right after mid-terms. The workload did not reduce. But we did develop increasing “comfort with discomfort” as we became faster at the Case Method. And, once we received the mid-term results, we became calibrated and relieved. We knew we were going to make it through the program.

You should know that the stress will go down for you, too.

My EC students all report how much more enjoyable their second-year experience has been. They’re still busy, but they’re in classes that they chose and in seats that they picked. Many however miss seeing their Section. “I miss my people,” one of my students told me recently.

At my 30th Reunion in June, many of us reflected on our time together in Aldrich. We agreed that we would not want two years of the first-year experience. But nor would we want two years of the second-year one. We thought the “1+1” feature of the program really was valuable and unique.

We had the benefit of being in a Section and having a life-long community. And we also relished the freedom of EC year. But two years of EC would make HBS just a regular school like everyone else. And as you know, HBS tries to be different in ways that maximize our students’ learning and life arcs.

I look forward to seeing you next week during Check-in. I’ll have some advice on how to go through your current trials. For now, know that 91K HBS alumni went through what you are experiencing.

We did it. So will you.

Fondly,

Jo