What I’ll Miss Most About My MBA Program

As a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with an MBA, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on the past two years. My time at WashU was transformative, memorable, and honestly two of the best years of my life. Before the details start to fade, I want to make a little time capsule of the things I’ll miss most about the MBA program.

First and foremost, I’ll miss the people. From my soccer teammates and coaching staff, to my peers in the cohort, to the faculty and staff, each person I met left a lasting impression. Every conversation, every shared struggle, every laugh shaped my experience in a unique way. The people truly made the place, and I’ll always be grateful for those connections.

I’ll also miss the campus itself. WashU is consistently ranked among the most beautiful college campuses in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. I’ll miss the postcard-worthy Brookings building, the energy of Francis Field, the daily rhythm of Simon Hall and Bauer Hall, and of course, the tulips that lined the walkways each spring. I’ll miss watching students lounging on Mudd Field, catching sunsets from the Brookings steps with Forest Park as the backdrop, and soaking in the everyday beauty of the space I was lucky to call home.

Then, there were the endless events. No matter the day of the week, there was always something happening: happy hours, volunteering opportunities (shoutout Olin Cares), networking mixers, research presentations, club meetings, alum events, even formal dances. I loved the energy of a community where something was always unfolding, and the joy of stumbling into an event or showing up to support a friend’s project. That sense of community, support, and momentum is something I’ll deeply miss.

I’ll miss the classroom, too; the feeling of being pushed, stretched, and challenged. We’ve all heard the saying, “You never want to be the smartest in the room,” and I finally understood why. Being surrounded by such intelligent, motivated, and passionate people inspired me to push harder, think deeper, and realize I was capable of more than I gave myself credit for.

And finally, I’ll miss the little things. I’ll miss the mundane moments that, in hindsight, meant everything. Sitting in the grad lounge doodling on the calendar while debating silly topics with friends. Walking down Forsyth for Crazy Bowls & Wraps with my roommate. Morning runs through Forest Park. Late-night case study sessions in study rooms that turned into laughter breaks. Living, and later reminiscing, the global immersion trips to DC, Barcelona, and Singapore. Even sitting in class, half-confused as professors simplified a concept that somehow still felt impossible. These ordinary moments stitched together the fabric of my MBA experience, and they’re the ones I’ll hold closest.

Looking back, I could go on for pages about what I’ll miss. But more than anything, I’ll miss the people, the place, and the feeling that came with being part of something so special.