The best medicine

We laugh a lot in our section. I'd never considered this feature of HBS life before coming here, but it's a plus. It's not unusual for us to break out in laughter two or three times per class. This happens more often in some courses than in others, and surprisingly enough accounting is consistently at the top of the hilarity rankings. Sometimes the laughter occurs because of a comment that someone makes, intentionally or not, that momentarily stops the conversation. Other sections have instituted a "Mr. Obvious" award for the person who, in an attempt to respond to the professor's query ends up merely restating exactly what was asked. Such comments almost always lead to an unexpected, stunned pause where everyone, including the professor, is at a loss for words. One of our professors like to regale us with tales of accounting chicanery that are invariably amusing and more instructive than you might think. It's a good sign that we can laugh together, and generally with instead of at each other (and that people can laugh at themselves). The learning process can be quite serious without being humorless, which makes for a more enjoyable MBA experience, and a better section rapport to boot.