Beginnings and Endings

Adhitya Raghavan (MBA ’25) embraces the bittersweet journey.

As I step into my second year at Harvard Business School, I'm filled with a mix of emotions – excitement, nervousness, and a touch of nostalgia. Beginnings and endings have a way of heightening our senses, making us more attuned to the changes that lie ahead and the experiences we've left behind.

Leaving behind the comfort of freshly cooked Indian food at home, the familiarity of focusing solely on one thing – be it an internship or, in my case, working on a startup idea – is never easy. It’s bittersweet to part with what we know and step into the unknown. But in this bittersweetness lies the beauty of new beginnings. It’s an opportunity to form new friendships, discover new places, and learn new things.

For many of us, the start of the second year feels like a fresh chapter in our stories. We’ve successfully navigated the challenges of the first year, and now we’re given the chance to approach things with a fresh perspective. I’m particularly excited about meeting new RCs and ECs in my role as a dorm ambassador, and I look forward to taking new classes that push me out of my comfort zone, like Negotiation. 

Whether discussing case studies in a new light or diving into an entirely different extracurricular, let curiosity guide you. As I reflect on my first year, I fondly remember some of these leaps of faith – the biggest being singing on stage during Cabaret and dancing with my section during EKTA. Yes, those moments trump any and all academic or professional achievements.

The power of beginnings and endings lies in the blank slate they offer. They give us a unique chance to craft a new persona, leave behind the baggage of the past, and start fresh. You might make minor tweaks, or you might entirely reinvent yourself – academically, socially, or personally. Either way, this is your moment to shape your journey. As I plunge into my second year, I do so with excitement and a sense of adventure. I don’t know exactly what lies ahead, but I do know that it will be a year to remember. I hope to continue writing my story with passion, curiosity, and an open heart.

To all the students embarking on this journey with me, I wish you the best of luck as you chart your own paths. Let’s embrace the beginnings and endings with a sense of wonder, and a commitment to making this year truly memorable.

Adhitya Raghavan (MBA ’25) is originally from Chennai, India. He learned about rockets during his undergrad at Princeton, studying Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. Adhitya loves playing sports and attempting to write poetry, and hopes to build his own energy company post-HBS.