Completing your uni course and becoming a graduate can be both exciting and scary.
You’re open to a world of adventure and choices filled with where your degree can take you. There are opportunities for travel, creating memories and moments to relax. You’re also faced with the new challenge of ‘adulting.’ Taking responsibility for your career choices and managing your finances.
Here are five things I wish I knew before starting my first full-time job:
- Discounts and student loans really have left the building
You know all those great deals and takeaways you grab in a flash…they start to disappear. Quite quickly. As you are no longer a student but a graduate at heart, you are ready to let go of the offers and start affording things at full price- with your first job.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You start to embrace building valuable life skills of budgeting and taking control of your spending. This is always a plus in the long run.
2. You will drink a lot more coffee
If you’re a coffee-lover, then this one will be a bonus for you.
Whether you’re in the office or in a meeting, you will be offered a cup of coffee- at least three times. Even if this isn’t the case, you will probably drink it before you head out to work or once you come back. It’s just unavoidable. You’ve entered the world of work and the world of coffee and that’s that.
3. Keep your side hobby alive
Seriously, don’t let it go. Just because you now have a full-time job doesn’t mean you should let go of everything else you love to do. Whether you love to dance, cook or sing as a student, keep doing what makes you happy in your free time.
4. Fix your sleep pattern
Sleep is crucial. If you aren’t well-rested, you can’t function properly for work- which isn’t good.
Try and wind down enough before bed so that you can fall asleep right away. That way getting a full 7 hours is easier.
5. Embrace the new stage of life
It’s important to remember that starting your first full-time job is a brand new step in life. Whilst it can be challenging, it’s a great gift to uncover and grow both personally and professionally. Not only do you get to learn more about yourself but the world around you and how you interact with people. Enjoy it and keep going!