Things I need to know starting a new job | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Education

3 Tips For The First Week Of Working At A New Place

From one employee to another: how to start loving work from the first day.

154
3 Tips For The First Week Of Working At A New Place
Pexels

In This Article:

I've just started at a new job, and have had only a little time adjusting to it. This is mainly because I am surrounded by a very friendly and helpful team of people who have made me feel right at home. However, even with the support of your co-workers, starting at a new place, or even in a new division of the same place, can be intimidating.

The most difficult adjustment was to the physical place, itself. I got lost from classroom to classroom and tried to find the auditorium on the other side of campus (I work in a school for context). I didn't realize that there were two doors going in and out of the staff room and ended up leading students to the wrong class more than once. But, besides having an understanding group of people to work with, I figured out some tips to find balance and sanity in my new part-time home.

1. Figure out your most used routes first

media.giphy.com

First things first, figure out the bathroom situation. Which ones are best and which ones are a definite no-go. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing co-worker and desk mate who let me in on the secret to the best ones.

After piecing together parts of your work and buildings, pick up patterns in the first week that let you know which rooms you tend to frequent the most. For example, for me, I head to the office, my classroom, and the auditorium the most. So, I figured out the fastest and most efficient routes for me to get to those locations within the first two days. Now my job requires a lot of moving around the workplace. Therefore, figuring out these routes allow me to get to where I need to go when people need me there.

Also, it feels satisfying to know the space that you will be working with for at least a while. Being familiar with where you will be spending around 8 hours a day can ease the transition.

2. Get to know your co-workers throughout the day

media.giphy.com

I get it. Sometimes we want to separate the people at work from the people we see at home. However, sometimes making those work friends can go a long way when you need help with the office copier or want someone to sit with at lunch. Graduating from school doesn't change a thing. We still need companionship when we are in a particular setting for long periods of time, and talking to your co-workers when both you and they have the time can accomplish that.

I found that saying "Good morning" every day, or asking how someone's weekend was at the start of the week can spark a conversation. Or, at the very least, you get a smile and answer back while learning a new name.

3. Don't be afraid to learn

media.giphy.com

My most fundamental life rule is to always stay a student. What I mean is that never fear to question things, or even just ask questions if you don't understand. Work towards being open to being challenged and to prove your point. And most importantly, never miss an opportunity to learn something new.

At a new workplace, it is inevitable that you will be learning as the first weeks go by; names, responsibilities, tasks, and how the break room coffee machine works. Just staying open-minded and reasonably positive (I get that it can be frustrating) can make or break a new job.

I am pumped to start working at my new place of employment, and that I am fortunate enough to work with the people that I share my campus with. I was pretty nervous throughout my first day and going throughout my first week. However, implementing these tips and checking in with myself at the end of the day, that I am truly loving what I do, has made this experience that much more amazing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

5692
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments