Are you fresh out of university? Have you recently graduated and are about to embark on your first career? Are you organised enough and ready for the challenges ahead?

For many graduates, a jam packed schedule can be a real culture shock after finishing university. A typical week suddenly consists of working 9-to-5, as opposed to attending classes for a few hours.  Plus you then have to find time for your friends, family, interests, hobbies and any networking at professional events.

Once use to it most people love this pace, but making that first transition from student to working world can be a big challenge for some. Adding a full time job into the mix requires a different approach to scheduling, planning and organisation.

Here are a few tips for balancing those first few post grad months.

Recognise Your Needs

Many people struggle with the transition into the workplace because they think being in the ‘real world’ means having to be a whole new person than the one in university. While everything from your schedule to your social life to your living situation will be very different from the past few years, remember you are still the same person! So the things you needed to succeed while you were in university will likely be the same things you need in a job setting. If you know you need a full eight hours of sleep to function properly the next day, then figure out how to get it! If you crave exercise to calm your nerves, make time for it!

Organise Your Time

If you weren’t a time management guru in university then it could well be the time to become one! Organise your big tasks and make sure you have adequate time to devote to each task. Remember to prioritise and organise around the different activities on your plate and give each one its own pocket of time.

Stick to Your Priorities

For most people the main priority is the job, whether it’s figuring out how to get ahead at your new role or trying to find your dream position. Try not to let everything else in your life that interests you fall by the wayside.  If it’s important to you then they’re an important part of being happy as a professional. Keep spending time with friends, even if work is battling for your time and energy. Take time to decide what you want out of life and make those things a priority. In the long term this will help you organise your schedule to maximise your happiness. But be careful not to overload yourself. You don’t have to do it all. Finding balance in your new life is about being honest with yourself, knowing what you can handle and setting priorities based on what matters most to you.

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