Josh Mizrahi, Loyola Marymount University
7) Started In Leadership Roles Sooner: “As a freshman, I focused heavily on maintaining a strong academic record. While discipline was important, I realized that my greatest growth occurred when I began leading others. Serving as president of the Business Law Society and tour guide coordinator required me to manage teams, coordinate professional events, and represent the university publicly. Leadership accelerates development. If I could advise my younger self, I would encourage him to embrace responsibility earlier and trust that growth often begins with discomfort.”
Josh Mizrahi, Loyola Marymount University
8) Pursued Entrepreneurship: “Looking back, I wish I had taken more entrepreneurship courses earlier in business school. Entrepreneurial capitalism is one of the best things America has to offer, and those classes push you to think creatively, take ownership of ideas, and become comfortable with uncertainty. I didn’t fully appreciate how valuable that mindset was at first, especially how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, manage risk, and create value from limited resources. Spending more time trying to understand the entrepreneurial mind with the help of Lehigh’s incredible professors would have strengthened how I approach problem-solving across every area of business. I look forward to learning about this on my own time in the future.”
Michael Pinette, Lehigh University
9) Taken More Risks: “Start that business, create that club, or take that class. It’s easy to say in hindsight looking back, but far harder in the moment when you are already juggling responsibilities, goals, and relationships. Taking the time to actively shift yourself out of your comfort zone to seek new pursuits and perspectives pays dividends in lessons and personal growth. For example, I always write down all of my startup ideas, and it’s never going to be easier than it is right now to take a chance on making my dreams into reality.”
Lucas Bernicker, Washington University (Olin)
“One thing I would do differently in business school is be more adventurous. Villanova offers incredible access to upperclassmen, alumni, recruiters, and student leaders, but taking advantage of those opportunities can feel intimidating at first. Looking back, I wish I had pushed myself earlier to explore more, attend events, learn about unfamiliar industries, participate in service, or simply show up to hear an alum speak about their career. Business schools are always buzzing with activity, and investing time in those experiences during your first years can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Student leaders and faculty work hard to create meaningful programming for us, and there’s truly nothing to lose by showing up. If anything, you walk away with new knowledge, new connections, and a clearer sense of direction.”
Sofia Arrascue, Villanova University
10) Started In High School: “[I would have] taken more college-level courses while I was in high school. Although this decision was made before I began my undergraduate journey, it directly impacted my college experience. By earning additional dual-enrollment or advanced credits, I could have started my core business coursework earlier and potentially accelerated my academic timeline. Graduating ahead of schedule would have allowed me to transition directly into pursuing my MBA, positioning me to enter the professional world sooner. While I value the path I have taken, this reflection has strengthened my commitment to being proactive and strategic about my future goals.”
Nate Wallace, Lipscomb University
Mia McGraw, University of Minnesota (Carlson)
11) Stopped Comparing Myself To Others: “Business school can feel competitive, but it is important to remember that everyone is on a different path and success looks different for each person. Rather than letting what others are accomplishing tear you down, be happy for them and use it as motivation to push yourself to grow. In addition to competitiveness, it is also important to realize that people often only share their successes on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. These posts can make it feel like you are falling behind, but everyone is going through different journeys to get there. I would remind myself that it is okay for my path and timeline to look different than my peers.”
Mia McGraw, University of Minnesota (Carlson)
12) Embraced Accounting: “My first-ever college class was Accounting at 8 a.m. on Monday mornings, and I walked in already convinced it would be tedious based on its reputation among business students. I convinced myself I was bad with numbers and could never be creative in the ways I wanted to as an Accounting Major.
Now, as I’m navigating Give n’ Glow’s tax filings, donor receipts, and financial reporting for our 501(c)(3) application, I’m teaching myself accounting principles I dismissed as irrelevant three years ago. I wish I’d understood then that accounting is another language that the business world needs to thrive, and would have shown up in many other classes throughout my college career. If I’d approached that 8 a.m. Monday class as a tool for my own business I would make one day, I would have retained so much more.”
Samantha Asprelli, Northeastern University (D’Amore-McKim)
13) Paused and Savored the Moment: “I would have slowed down and been more present throughout my freshman, sophomore, and junior years of college. During my first year, so many people told me that the next four years would pass quickly, and honestly, I did not believe them. Now, in my final semester, I can say that these have been the fastest four years of my life. I was often focused on staying ahead, preparing for interviews, networking, recruiting, or thinking about what I was going to do next. That ambition helped me grow into who I am today, but at times it pulled my attention toward what was ahead instead of fully appreciating what was happening in the moment. Looking back, I would remind myself to pause more often, value the relationships and experiences, and recognize that success is not only about looking forward but also about being present in the journey.”
Alexander Lammayot, University of Houston (Bauer)
14) Pursued Balance in My Life: “Looking back, the one thing I would do differently is not take myself quite so seriously. Early on, I felt pressure to optimize every decision around academics or career, when in reality some of the most meaningful moments of my college and business school experience came from stepping outside business entirely. Allocating my time toward non-business interests and relationships has helped me recharge, gain perspective, and ultimately show up more thoughtfully in the classroom as well. I learned that taking time for balance ultimately made me more present and effective in every aspect of my life, and it is a lesson I’m still learning.”
Carly Appel, University of Virginia (McIntire)
“Looking back, I wish I had given myself more balance. I poured so much energy into everything else that I rarely considered what my now-self needed versus what my future-self wanted. Investing in others has been incredibly rewarding and helping people pursue their goals gave me purpose and passion, but I now understand that taking care of yourself in the present is just as important as building the person you hope to become.”
Filippa Rodriguez, Purdue University (Daniels)
Joshua Elkin, University of Wisconsin
15) Been Kinder to Myself: “I would choose to be kinder to myself. Looking back, it is easy to see a list of roles and awards and assume confidence was always there. The truth is, I often felt like I was running to keep up with an image of success I had created in my own head. Business school teaches you how to be polished, productive, and competitive, but it does not always teach you how to take care of the person behind those traits. I wish I had asked sooner who I wanted to be beyond the titles and expectations I carried. Ambition is powerful, but it can also make you forget to check in with yourself.
If I could do one thing differently, it would be to treat myself with the same patience I offer others. My worth is not tied to how busy I feel. Becoming a business leader should not mean losing the parts of yourself that made you want to lead in the first place.”
Krisanta Bolante, University of Washington (Foster)
“I wish I would have put less pressure on myself and had greater faith that I would arrive where I was meant to be. I thrive in competitive environments, and the Wisconsin School of Business is no exception. Yet there was always a voice in my mind saying that I should be doing more.
During my junior year, I was applying to internships, practicing mock case interviews, juggling two jobs, and pursuing multiple leadership positions, all while being a full-time student. I was overwhelmed and chasing diminishing returns. I do believe that my drive has served me well, but it also created much unnecessary stress throughout college. I wish I had taken more time to slow down, enjoy the journey, and remember that I would end up where I belonged post-graduation.”
Joshua Elkin, University of Wisconsin
“If I could go back and do it all again, I’d give myself more grace and a lot more forgiveness when it came to my grades and GPA. Too often in high school and college, I let myself get weighed down by a number on a transcript. But honestly, the experiences I’ve had and the growth that came from them have been far more valuable than a high GPA. As someone who’s naturally competitive and high-achieving, I’ve had to step back more than once and remind myself that grades aren’t the only measure of success. What matters just as much are the relationships you build, the risks you take, and the opportunities you say yes to. I wish I had learned that lesson freshman year instead of later on, but I’m grateful I figured it out during my time in office. Traveling to conferences, missing classes, and being away from campus helped me realize what was truly important, and I hope other students get the chance to learn that sooner, too.”
Eric Bedrosian, Butler University (Lacy)
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