In the lead up to our 2025 Graduation we talked to Rayan who will be graduating with a MBA in Business Administration and Management.
I was an undergraduate from the very same university who first studied accounting and finance. It wasn’t for me so I switched to Business Management International Business. I came back to do an MBA because I was very satisfied with the curriculum and its liberal arts nature, so I returned with this time being a specific focus on MBA.
This university was the most reasonable of work and life balance for a student such as myself who resided in the UK and sought a double degree for both the UK and USA because Richmond is one of the only universities out there that allow two places for you to get your degree.
I’m not much of a social butterfly (to be honest I’m something of an introvert myself), but in class I still very much interacted, and got to know my peers regardless. Most importantly the atmosphere in general didn’t require you to be someone you are not as everything should be in and out of the university. In every lecture I always recorded each, and every bit of information my professors said and made plenty of notes and even time stamped topics they talked about and annotated lecture notes. It really helped me come back later and refresh my memory.
Outside of class the campus was a nice place to take walks around and visit nearby places, from stores, parks, and even pubs… sshhh don’t mention the pubs part. Regardless I was comfortable to interact without a sweat and learn a lot from my instructors and my peers who were willing to succeed. I was most proud of just making it through and learning how it was best. Some people feel the need coming in to university and still go into thinking “ooh maybe do this and I am golden?” No no and… NO! That doesn’t make learning and your time at Richmond or any university experience for that matter fun! Just be you and do you. Otherwise next for me, I’d like to travel around for a bit, and end up somewhere if neither here nor there.
So just remember, be yourself and not what others expect. Live your life and spend your time in Richmond on your own terms, and you will have a good time. Otherwise, as the saying goes, but with a side of Rayan Kassamani (totally not clichè by the way);
“Work hard, play hard, but for the love of all that exists and beyond….. inhales and then exhales
DON’T TRY TO BE SOMEONE YOU ARE NOT!”
Otherwise, listen and respect your professors and peers, take notes, and record your lectures in case you are ever not sure or forget crucial details, so that if you are still not sure you can then email your professors for even better clarification and modify your notes after. Who knows, the recordings and note taking from all the lectures may perhaps benefit you in the long run in case you forget just a sliver of information.
Oh and before I forget, don’t forget to have fun.
