Progressions

How to Have a 5-to-9 During Your First 9-to-5

If you had talked to me in April, you would have heard all about what now seem to be very ambitious summer plans. After accepting a position as a PR and Marketing Intern for the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in Columbus, OH, I was excited to enjoy my 5-to-9 in a big city. Growing up and attending college in a small town has made it difficult to plan activities and find hobbies outside of the house. In Columbus, there are a million different evening events perfect for any interest, and I was planning to squeeze them all into the span of a full-time 12-week summer internship. 

Now, I know better and, after an initial crash and burn, realize how difficult adjusting to your first full-time job can be. No matter how much you enjoy your work and love your coworkers, it’s okay to be tired at the end of the day. Being comfortable with this truth and the change in how your time is divided is key to successfully adjusting to working full-time. Drawn from my personal experiences, here are my tips for having a 5-to-9 during your first 9-to-5.

1. Set aside time to adjust to your new schedule. 

Diving headfirst into a lifestyle I had never experienced before set me back. I didn’t realize how challenging the transition would be and how much I would need to rely on myself. I remember thinking multiple times, “I haven’t eaten dinner yet. What am I supposed to eat?” This was because I spent so much time trying to fit in various activities and hobbies, I neglected to take care of myself. I would have been better off if I had dedicated the first week to learning the ins and outs of working full-time before adding anything else to my schedule.

2. Start small.

After you’ve adjusted to your new schedule, ease into more activities and regularly evaluate how you feel about your time management. I’ve found it’s easy to keep adding more to your plate once you’ve started, often without a second thought about what you’re already juggling. Some tactics to stay mindful of what you’re taking on are: only adding one activity, event or hobby per week, setting specific dates to evaluate how you feel about your schedule and removing activities when necessary.

3. Share your frustrations with your support system. 

You never have to face challenges alone. By talking to my friends and family about the areas where I felt I was falling short, I gained the clarity I needed to realize I wasn’t missing the mark after all. Everyone reassured me the adjustment period is difficult and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. These conversations helped me understand I could take things at my own pace, discover what works best for me and what fulfills me the most. I also found comfort in talking to a close professional connection. Meeting with someone in the same industry gave me insight into how they handled their first full-time job. I gained tactics like setting a daily routine and having a stress relief outlet.

4. Give yourself grace.

Your support system can give you all of the reassurance and advice in the world, but you have to be able to do the same for yourself. One of the biggest challenges I faced was being comfortable taking it slow. I was so determined to have the summer I planned, I almost forgot to have the summer I enjoyed. Being able to tell myself it was okay to take things slow and adjust as needed gave me space to evaluate where I was at and what I needed. 

Being able to make these changes has allowed me to enjoy my 5-to-9 just as much as I enjoy my 9-to-5. Always remember, adjusting to new environments takes time, and everyone needs to discover what works best for them. Whether you need to stick to a strict schedule, rely on family and friends or just ride the wave, make sure the life you’re living makes you happy.