In GBUS, we grow and glow in different ways. There's a variety of elements shaping you into a better person. The case competition was a significant part of my year one learning journey. It gave me a steep learning curve and completely changed my learning attitude. There's too much to share, but I'll keep it short with three things I learned.

1. The importance of teamwork. Even though the responsibilities of each member's role vary greatly, effective collaboration is essential to delivering a solid presentation. When I first practiced casing, I didn't know how to work as a team. My recommendation did not align with our situation analysis, nor could the financials justify our strategy. Through pieces of training from the case analysis team(CAT), I discovered that most of the time, team members should be discussing and reaching a consensus on the "why, what, how" elements of the recommendations rather than working independently, allowing every part of the presentation to create a cohesive whole. Team working skills are valued not only in school but also in the workplace, and it has been an inevitable part of my learning process. 

2. Learn proactively. Many students might agree that we tend to be reluctant to ask questions, even when we don't understand things. In my first semester, I struggled a lot in the casing. I wanted to solve my difficulties independently but showed no signs of improvement. Thanks to my seniors who kept encouraging us to reach out, I finally consulted them after performing poorly again. They held multiple f2f sessions with my team, teaching us step-by-step, patiently addressing our questions, and leading me back on track. Through casing, I realized there are many things you can't simply "google" and understand. If you are fortunate enough to be in a community where people are eager to support and guide you, treasure it, and don't miss any opportunity to learn and be inspired.

3. Innovation and creativity are valued. In exams, we strive to make our answers similar to the marking scheme. I recall asking a follow-up question in a chemistry lesson and being told by the teacher that it was out of the syllabus. In the end, the most effective way to prepare for DSE is to train yourself to stick to the markings. In case competitions, criteria such as impact, feasibility, and innovativeness often appear. Case competitions allow us to apply what we've learned in real life while bringing in new perspectives. During the spring semester, my team of 4 freshmen was fortunate to be placed first in the HSBC Life Innovation Competition. We proposed launching personalized microinsurance in Payme to target millennials and Gen Z. During the winners' gathering, where we had an opportunity to chat with HSBC Life's CEO and team, they told us they're considering implementing our strategy. It is immensely encouraging for a group of freshmen to understand that we can utilize our learnings to form strategies that could potentially make an impact, and this strongly reinforces my passion for case analysis.

Case competitions have made my first year at university incredibly fruitful. If you're seeking a similar learning experience, joining the GBUS community will be a great way to start.