I see a lot of you already stressing about the budget. I get it the excel sheets are out, the cost-of-living calculations are being obsessively refined, and the urge to "save" is at an all-time high.

But I want to share one piece of advice for the incoming batch that you won’t find in the course curriculum: Don't live like a miser for the next two years.

I come from a humble background, so I’m not coming at this from a place of privilege. I know what it’s like to count every rupee. But there is a very real danger in trying to "optimize" your expenses to the point of isolation.

The truth is, a massive c*unk of your actual MBA experience happens outside the lecture hall. It’s the 2 AM food orders when the mess is closed, the random weekend trips that weren't in the budget, and the impromptu plans that turn into inside jokes. These aren't just "outings" they are where real friendships, trust, and the foundation of your network are built. Human relationships are forged through shared time, not through spreadsheets.

If you repeatedly opt out to save a little cash, you aren't just saving money; you are unintentionally distancing yourself from the ecosystem. You’re missing the "unplanned" hours where the real bonding happens.

If finances are genuinely tight, look into bank options that cover living expenses. Treat that debt as an investment in your network, not just a liability.

At the end of the day, an extra lakh saved in your bank account probably won’t change your life in five years. But the support system, the memories, and the people you build during these two years? They absolutely might.