The Biggest Adjustments from Undergrad to the SMF

Before starting the Specialized Master in Finance (SMF) here at OSU, I expected tougher classes and a heavier workload. While this is certainly true, it is not the biggest adjustment I had to face. The real shift is how much responsibility you are expected to take over everything. 
 
In undergrad, the structure is built into courses and programs. Assignments, deadlines, and expectations from faculty are clearly laid out, and it is relatively easy to stay on track if you follow this structure. While this doesn’t disappear in the SMF, the pacing is completely different. Moving from 15-week semesters to sessions with 7-week courses, it becomes increasingly important that you build your own system to ensure that you don’t fall behind, especially during busy seasons, such as recruiting or midterms and finals. Without effective prioritization or time management, it can be easy to lapse on your responsibilities.  

Another major change is a shift from memorization to application. Instead of learning concepts just to do well on an exam, you are expected to apply these concepts to real world situations, primarily through group projects or reports. Whether it’s financial modeling, case discussions, or creating actionable ideas for businesses to pursue, the focus is less on memorizing the answer and more on the thought process behind arriving at a solution, and presenting the information in a professional way, either via PowerPoint presentation or a report document. 

There is also a clear move from being passive to proactive. The many opportunities within the SMF aren’t automatically given to students, they must go after them. Networking, recruiting, and skill development require consistent effort outside of the classroom. Students who treat this as optional will struggle, and the SMF gives students the resources to effectively pursue them.  

What helped me adjust was building a structure into my own routine. I treated the job search and networking like a class, blocking time each week for applying to jobs and reaching out to professionals, as well as blocking time to study and build my skills outside of class. While the adjustment is certainly real, it takes time and effort to successfully adapt to a new program, new ways of learning, and a new learning environment.