Navigating life as a Rotman Commerce student involves balancing classes and extracurriculars while making pivotal academic decisions — like selecting a specialization or pursuing internships. As a third-year finance and economics specialist with a focus on international business, my week is packed with lectures, tutorials, and extracurriculars. Here’s a typical week in my life that you can use to learn how to excel at Rotman.

Monday

My week kicks off with ECO209 — Macroeconomic Theory and Policy (for Commerce), a three-hour lecture from 2:00–5:00 pm. This course is essential for understanding macroeconomic frameworks and policies, offering insight into the forces that shape global markets and inform policy decisions. Staying on top of material requires a disciplined study routine, but support is readily available through office hours, teaching assistants, and academic advisors. For first-year students, I recommend solidifying your grasp of ECO101 — Principle of Microeconomics and ECO102 — Principles of Macroeconomics theory, as they form the foundation for success in advanced courses like ECO209. 

After ECO209, I head to ENG270 — Intro to Postcolonial and Colonial Writing, a three-hour lecture from 6:00–9:00 pm. This course provides a refreshing change of pace for me, offering literary perspectives that illuminates historical and cultural narratives beyond the scope of traditional economic theory. Six hours of lectures in one day can be daunting, but for students interested in interdisciplinary subjects, literature or history electives can be incredibly rewarding. These courses not only provide a break from commerce’s number heavy topics but also foster analytical skills and critical thinking by encouraging students to interpret complex texts and consider diverse viewpoints. 

Tuesday

On Tuesdays, I start with HIS267 — Business History at 9:00 am, followed by my ECO320 — Economic Analysis of Law tutorial at 11:00 am, both two hours long. Tutorials have been invaluable for deepening my understanding of the material as they foster collaborative learning and engaging discussions in a more intimate setting.

In an interview with The Varsity, Ahan Kalra Mathur — a third-year management specialist with a focus on finance and strategy — shared his thoughts on large class sizes and the pressure to keep up. He encouraged new students not to feel intimidated by the environment and to ask questions. “At first, asking questions might feel difficult with so many people around, but it’s the best way to learn, and I would definitely ask more if I could do it over,” he said. 

Additionally, consider joining Registered Study Groups or seeking advice from professors on study strategies. Allocating specific hours to each course has been key to managing my time and course load at Rotman.

Wednesday 

This day is dedicated to my second ECO320 lecture from 11:00 am–1:00 pm, followed by RSM333 — Corporate Finance, from 5:00–7:00 pm, a core course for my finance specialization. This course is essential for anyone pursuing a finance specialist. 

If you’re considering a path in finance, I recommend attending finance and networking events listed on the Rotman Commerce (RC) Portal for all things Rotman. Upcoming events include Rotman Commerce Interview Assistance, and even KPMG’s Management Consulting Practice Information Session. You can also join Rotman clubs, such as the RC Sustainable Business or the RC Innovation Group, to expand your network.

Exposure to these events, clubs, and even your own network can help you determine if a specialization aligns with your interests and career goals. For me, taking RSM332 — Capital Market Theory solidified my decision to specialize in finance, due to its investment challenge, involving simulating real-time stock analysis, investing decisions, and deciding where best to put your money forward. For you, a passion for management might spark in RSM100 — Intro to Management, or an interest in accounting could emerge in RSM219 — Intro to Financial Accounting. 

Choosing a specialization isn’t always straightforward, though. I encourage first-years to take introductory courses across various commerce disciplines seriously to better understand their fit within Rotman. Still unsure? Meet with academic advisors for guidance on course selection and specialization decisions. 

With 16 hours of lectures completed over three days, my school week wraps up here.

Thursday, Friday, and the weekend

Thursday and Friday are lecture-free, which might sound relaxing, but these days are filled with essay writing, group assignments, exam preparation, and job applications.

I also use these days to attend networking events. I recommend researching the attendees or companies beforehand, preparing thoughtful questions, and practicing a concise personal introduction that highlights your interests and goals. Actively engaging in conversations, exchanging contact information, and following up afterward can also help solidify connections and leave a lasting impression. In an interview with The Varsity, Rayomand Daroga — an assistant professor at Rotman School of Management — emphasized the importance of building a diverse social network. “Make sure you spend at least an hour a day getting to meet people in the program,” he explained. “Building a network is so important [for] help[ing] you find the next job.”

Navigating the Rotman journey can feel daunting, especially in first-year. However, with a balanced schedule, a willingness to explore diverse courses, and support from peers and professors, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding and successful experience — just as I was!