Embarking on the journey to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT) is a significant milestone for aspiring MBA candidates. It’s a period filled with anticipation, rigorous preparation, and a mix of emotions, much like stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new phase of life. Just as leaving the familiar comforts of home brings about a unique set of experiences, preparing for the Cat Exam is a journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Remember those initial days of considering an MBA? Perhaps you weighed the pros and cons, discussed it with friends, and envisioned the transformative impact it could have on your career. Similarly, I recall resisting the idea of boarding school as a child, clinging to the familiarity of home. But life, as it often does, has its own course. Just as I eventually found myself navigating new environments, MBA aspirants find themselves immersed in the world of quant, verbal, and logical reasoning.
The preparation phase for the CAT exam can feel like a departure from your routine. Friends who have already trodden this path often share their insights on the challenges and rewards of this journey. They emphasize the importance of focused study, time management, and maintaining a positive mindset. Initially, you might have philosophical counterarguments, highlighting the positives of rigorous preparation and academic growth. However, as you delve deeper into the syllabus, mock tests, and the pressure to perform, the essence of their experiences truly resonates. It’s akin to understanding the feeling of “homesickness” when you’re finally away from home, missing the everyday comforts.
There are moments in CAT preparation when the sheer volume of syllabus and the competition can feel overwhelming. The desire to take a break and momentarily escape the intensity is natural. You might find yourself yearning for the “comfortable treatments” of your pre-MBA life – the relaxed evenings, hobbies, and social life that take a backseat during preparation.
You might miss the ease of your old routine, just like missing the comfort of your morning alarms at home, even if you repeatedly hit snooze for those extra minutes of sleep. You might crave the simplicity of familiar activities, much like missing a home-cooked meal. You might long for the days when exam preparation wasn’t a constant presence, similar to missing the daily updates of life at home when you’re away.
In the rush, hustle, and race to crack the CAT exam, the emotional aspect of this journey is often understated. It’s a shared experience, a rite of passage for MBA aspirants. While it might be considered a “norm” to feel the pressure and challenges of CAT preparation, acknowledging and understanding these feelings is crucial. Everyone navigating the CAT exam journey experiences this in their own way. What are your experiences? Have you felt this way during your preparation? How are you navigating this journey? Let’s connect and share our experiences.
