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A Taste of the real world

Get a job right out of college they said... it'll be fun they said...

Keri Szewczk

Jul 09, 2018

Fairleigh Dickinson University

153

https://www.google.com/search?q=welcome+to+the+real+world+it+sucks+you%27re+gonna+love+it&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS736US739&tbm=isch&source=lnt&tbs=sur:fmc&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0j5zH_YfcAhUhgK0KHZRsAEgQpwUIIA&biw=1440&bih=855&dpr=1.5#imgrc=Jo7tGEiMaRzrBM:

I graduated a month ago and I am already a few weeks into my first full-time job. Although at first, I was a little overwhelmed jumping right form one huge chapter to the next, it's been a huge blessing! However, I am definitely being hit with some real-world knowledge about "adulting." Below are some of the things I've learned about transitioning into a first REAL job.

You're basically tired all the time

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It doesn't matter if it's when the alarm goes off at 5:30am, the drive there, the mid-day coffee break, or right before you end your night. Since your body is not used to the hours and schedule like this, you're tired.

Coffee Coffee Coffee

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I was a solid 1 cup of coffee a day kind of girl, right in the morning on my way to work. I noticed my first few days my colleagues were always asking if I needed a coffee. I asked if everyone on staff drinks this much coffee to which someone replied, give it a week. Well, I'm a week in and I completely understand the need to amp up the caffeine dosage.

Your personal conversations start to sound professional

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Even in little conversations with my mom, I end up sounding way older and more mature than I actually am. I literally caught myself using the word "expenditure" outside of the 9am-5pm business hours

Menial things to some employees excite the hell out of you

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I was given a work computer, cell phone and office space within my first week, and let me tell you, I was HYPED! Even when my boss let me go "shopping" in our storage areas for office supplies my adrenaline was rushing. (I need to get out more)

Your feet always hurt

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Even at 5'10'' it just feels right to wear heels to work. That is it feels right until your big toes are covered in blisters. Thanks, Ivanka Trump!

You spend your first paycheck before you even get it

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Between gas, lunches, decorations for the office, and new clothes, almost my entire first week of pay was gone before I even got the check

But you also start watching you expenses more

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Now that I by technicality am an adult, I'm more cautious as to how I'm spending, but more importantly saving my money

Your car becomes a second home

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At least for me. I commute around three hours a day to get to and from work. My car has wrappers, shoes, a brush, back-up make-up, shirts, receipts, and fresh coffee stains. And that's just the passenger's seat.

Traffic

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NJ is notorious for their terrible traffic, but I wouldn't wish having to sit in commuter traffic on my worst enemy. I was so happy to get a job out of the crazy early or late hours I was working in hotels and restaurants, but I never realized how good of a commute I had it til now.

Your life becomes scheduled

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Plans with friends and family I have to decide at least a day or two in advance. I've had to cancel dentist and doctors' appointments because I scheduled them before I had a full-time job and now I am relatively unavailable between 6am-6pm. I was never one to use planners in college but now I can't go a day without it.

Testing your memory...a lot!

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I've met at least three new faces a day since being at work. It's most definitely been testing my ability to memorize names

You're happy, safe, and comfortable

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I feel very lucky to have a job right out of college. Knowing when my next paycheck will be, having enough money to afford an independent life while still having an extra cushion for fun, and being able to pay off student loans are all luxuries I wasn't sure I'd have. Plus, absolutely loving my job is a plus too.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

A Taste of the real world

Get a job right out of college they said... it'll be fun they said...

You're basically tired all the time

Coffee Coffee Coffee

Your personal conversations start to sound professional

Menial things to some employees excite the hell out of you

Your feet always hurt

You spend your first paycheck before you even get it

But you also start watching you expenses more

Your car becomes a second home

Traffic

Your life becomes scheduled

Testing your memory...a lot!

You're happy, safe, and comfortable

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May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

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