Leaving university and starting a working life can sometimes come as a bit of a shock. As a student, having to make the leap from the freedom of working (or procrastinating) at your own pace, into working a 9 to 5 job, is something of a lifestyle change. So, as you make the switch, keep these tips in mind, so that you can make the most of the next steps in your career:

1. Get into a routine before you start

As a student, getting into irregular sleeping habits is really easy. We all know (or have been) the student who periodically sleeps in until one in the afternoon, then stays up working until three in the morning to make up for it and gets up at 8 o’clock the next morning for a lecture. When you’re working a job with regular hours, that’s a little harder to maintain and will definitely affect your levels of productivity

Similarly, and this applies particularly to students with fewer contact hours, you may have to readjust to the idea of getting up early every day of the week. If you start training yourself beforehand though – say, a week or two before you start your new job – then by the time your first day comes around, you’ll at least be used to the idea. You might not love it – but at least you’ll be used to it.

 2. Review your wardrobe

There are some things you wore in your student days that may not be suitable for the office. And to be honest, some of them didn’t really fly when you were a student either. It’s definitely time to retire the t-shirt advertising student nights at your local 80’s nightclub. Whatever the dress code at your new workplace, make sure your wardrobe is suited to the task, and keep the student attire safely at home where it belongs. And if you need to do it on a student budget, using a charity shop to build a new work wardrobe can be a fantastic idea for saving money and supporting a charitable cause.

 READ: A graduate programme dedicated to training, development and encouragement

3. Rethink your diet

You might be used to an exam time diet of toasted cheese, or you might be used to resorting to late-night takeaway every night of the week, but either way, it might be time to start thinking about more regular (and more healthy) meals. If nothing else, at some point you’re going to have to concede that you’re not a student anymore, and your body no longer wants to digest whatever you throw at it. More than that, regular, healthy and well-cooked meals will give you the energy to get through your working week. Check out our blog for healthy eating on a budget!

4. Plan your way to success

There are many benefits to preparing the night before and having things like a pre-planned outfit and a prepared lunch ready. It can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency and reduce any potential morning stress. You can start your day with a sense of calm and organization, reducing the rush and stress commonly associated with mornings. Despite your best planning efforts, unexpected situations may arise. However, when you plan the night before, you have a solid foundation to work from, allowing you to adapt to unforeseen circumstances more effectively.

5. Keep your interests

There are many things that will change as you transition from university to working life, but there are some things that shouldn’t have to. If you were really into theatre, or playing football, or ballroom-dancing when you were at university, then keep it up. For a start, it’ll help you adjust and meet new people if you’ve moved to a new city. It’ll also give you something to plan your life around outside work, so that you can keep a balance between your work and your social life.

A supportive, challenging and engaging role can make all the difference as you transition from university to working life. For roles that can push you further and help you achieve your potential, check out our graduate job opportunities at Enterprise Rent-A-Car today.