Dear First-day Self,

If I could say anything to my first-day self about to begin this journey, it would be to put your heart and soul into this because it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You will make lifelong friends and gain invaluable skills; you’ll meet some of the most inspiring people and discover unexpected passions thanks to the opportunities available at Imperial.

There may be moments when you feel tired or hesitant, especially when meeting new people or stepping into unfamiliar situations. But do it anyway. Push through those reservations because the year goes by so quickly and it’s important that you make the most of it. You'll become more adventurous, more empathetic and much more confident when approaching new opportunities and networking situations.

You’ll also share unforgettable experiences with your cohort. You’ll form lasting bonds with your cohort in an unforgettable way on a cruise in Singapore during your Global Immersion Week, reflecting on what you’ve learnt throughout, and it will be something you won’t forget anytime soon.

Imperial doesn’t just provide amazing academic and career prospects, but also an environment where you feel supported and cared for – it's a very special place.

I’m very grateful to everyone at Imperial who helped me along my journey – the whole experience has been amazing. From the faculty and the Careers resources available, to the peers I’ve worked with along the way, I’ve grown so much in one year and I have them to thank for it.

Dear First-day Self,

You’re about to begin your Master’s; you’re stepping into that next chapter - the next challenge. You have flown across the world on your own to study at Imperial Business School, which feels scary now but take it from your future self, it really will change your life in ways you can’t yet imagine, and all for the better.

The way to approach your time at Imperial is to see every door as an opportunity. Every conversation, every club and every resource available to you is a chance to grow.

Take your academic modules seriously. The real-life decision-making simulation you undertake is going to allow you to gain hands-on experience and make you think outside of the box, all of which are invaluable in today’s competitive job market.

From these opportunities, you can expect to grow on both a personal and professional level. You'll ask more questions, gain more confidence in yourself and be happy to discuss various topics and learn more from those around you with every interaction.

This is a transformation that will help you in both your personal and professional life. It will even influence how you interact with those around you and encourage you to go into business with one of your best friends from the programme. Co-founding a business in the e-commerce space is not what you’re expecting, but that’s where you’re heading.

Dear First-day Self, 

You don’t know it yet, but Imperial is going to be one of the best parts of your life. There is so much to learn, so many people to meet and so many opportunities waiting for you. A key piece of advice that I can give is to enjoy every moment. 

Get involved in the Imperial community and take time to learn from the alumni you’ll meet – ask questions about their career journey and ways that they have grown. They set a wonderful example of what you can achieve with the knowledge gained at Imperial. 

Make full use of the Careers team and the resources they have on offer. They really will become the backbone of your student experience – offering one-to-one sessions, practice interviews and guidance on how to improve your applications. Their insights are invaluable and as an international student, they will help you navigate the UK job market. 

You’re about to really improve on your networking skills and even if you start by feeling shy, keep stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s important to build up a strong network and personal branding is a key skill that will take you forward in life. And by the end of the year, it will start to feel more natural. 

Imperial is ahead of the curve when it comes to resilience, sustainability and integration of AI in the modules, and this is going to help you develop the key skills needed to stay ahead in the job market as well. 

Dear First-day Self,

It is exhilarating to be looking back at my time at Imperial and writing to my first-day self – I really am thrilled to be graduating.

The advice I would give to my first-day self is to have confidence. Believe in the resources and the faculty you are about to come across because they truly have your best interests at heart.

Imperial is well-known for its academic rigour – the knowledge of the faculty is really amazing and will propel you into being career-ready. You’ll come away being able to apply the knowledge and skills that you’ve learnt with confidence.

It will be a year full of unique and beautiful experiences – attending the Summer Ball with your classmates being a particular highlight.

Imperial has a very good focus on helping you build up strong networking skills and making you aware of all the different employers and fields available to you. Through events like the Careers Fair, you will be exposed to these industries so that you can practice your networking skills and figure out which direction you want your career to take. What’s really great is that the Career support is still accessible to me now as a graduate.

Dear First-day Self,

In a job market where it’s difficult to stand out, Imperial will help set you apart. The programme will position you to go for the roles you aspire to in your chosen industries. And not only will you succeed, but you’ll also be able to use the knowledge that you’ve gained to bring new ideas to the table.

Your time at Imperial will stretch you to use your own initiative, be proactive and tackle a varied workload – all transferable and important skills when you join the job market.

Learn from those around you because you’re going to be exposed to people from completely different countries and cultures, broadening your perspective on how people approach work.

The programme can be challenging at times, but really it all comes down to how you organise your life and manage your time. If you do it right, you can balance a vibrant social life with academic success.

Studying with people from all corners of the world and learning from academics at the top of their fields is an amazing experience and one that will stay with you after you graduate.