5 Important Tips on Adapting From Student Life to Work Life.

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Transitioning from student life to working life can be hard but it could also be easy or at least bearable, if you were to follow some of these tips. As someone who transitioned into a job and a field that had nothing to do with any of my degrees, it has been quite an experience adapting into my role and making sure I am not doing things that will bite me in the behind a couple of months later.

Nobody is your friend at your workplace

One of the first advice you will receive from anyone who has worked in a professional setting is that nobody is your friend. Unlike in college where you could bond over late-night study sessions or shared interests, the dynamics at work are different. So it is really important to understand that being friendly does not mean that they are your friends. You will do well to remember that your colleagues are not your classmates or friends, and workplace relationships come with their own set of boundaries.

Boundaries are Key

One of the issues that I face as a semi-demi-hemi-friendly person is that I tend to overshare A LOT. No..like it’s really bad and I am actively trying to stop. So a tip I will give to someone who is trying to adapt from student life to working professional is to decide what you’re comfortable discussing and stick to that. For me, I have decided on my hobbies and since I tend to talk about my hobbies a lot, it does work out well for me. But you can decide you want to talk about what you do on Saturdays or you can even decide to not share anything at all, which is still fine. My point is that you decide in advance which aspects of your personal life you’re comfortable discussing, this will ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid oversharing.

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Clock In, Clock Out: Respect Your Time

In university, pulling an all-nighter to meet a deadline might have been the norm(for me at least), but in the professional world, it’s a different story. When your workday ends, clock out and leave the office. Bear in mind, I’m still in the process of doing this. But not comp;etely thee yet. BUT STILL, listen to me! Unless there’s a critical deadline or emergency, aim to finish your tasks within your designated work time. You’re not obligated to work overtime without proper compensation. Me Nuh Work Fi Bloodclart Free!

Weekend Warrior; Prioritize Your Work-Life Balance!

As a student, weekends may have been preoccupied with assignments and studying. In the working world, it’s crucial to be intentional about how you spend your free time because time flies by so much. The weekend legit feels like the shortest ‘day’ of the week. If you really do not want time(or life) to pass you by, you will have to make a conscious effort to separate your professional and personal lives, and use your weekends to recharge, plan activities you enjoy, spend time with loved ones and pursue personal interests outside of work.

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You’re the Main Character; Center Your Life, Not Your Job

While your job is undoubtedly important, it should not define your entire existence. Centre your life around your passions, hobbies, and relationships, and view your job as a part of that fulfilling life, not the other way around. A great example of how to think of work is; ‘I need to feed the dog, pick up some groceries in the evening, visit Mary and I also have work 9-5’. Not sure, if I presented that well but the point, your job is a part of your life, your job should not envelop your life.