Interning at a newspaper this summer, I've learned very quickly what everyday life will be like after I graduate in December.

Being a journalist though, my 9-5 job is subject to change. News doesn't turn off after 5 p.m. and neither does my email inbox. If I had a dollar for every press release sent to me, I could pay for my last semester of college.

So in learning how life will be after college, I've already made a rule for myself, one that has made all the difference.

I refuse to check my email before I get to the office.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it's so easy to roll over after turning my alarm off and immediately open my email to see what's been going on. I'm normally met with over ten emails just waiting to be opened, and seeing that first thing in the morning can make any day feel like a Monday.

I didn't think making a conscious effort to not look before 9 a.m. would be so difficult though. Nowadays, people are constantly on their phone, receiving notifications, scanning Twitter, and responding to emails. Changing that habit hasn't been easy but it's been oh so worth it.

Another thing that has helped is turning my phone off ring during the night. I don't switch it on until I'm leaving the house. That way I'm not distracted by the constant dinging. Sure it might drive my dad nuts when I miss his call, but I'll do anything not to hear that demanding ring first thing in the morning.

Mornings are now the time I have to get ready for the day. I wake up, go for a run, do some yoga, make some tea (then very strong coffee), have my quiet time, shower, and make myself ready for whatever email comes my way... after 9 a.m.

Just prolonging checking your email by a couple of hours may seem like life or death to some, but it has made all the difference in my attitude when I come into work.

Learning to separate work and home has been something I've struggled with for years. It's easy for me to work from home on my laptop, but I've been conscious about breaking that habit. Work will be there when I get to the office. It's important to have that work-free place to go after the day is done.

So take those extra few minutes in the morning typically spent on your phone and do something else that will help you get ready for the day ahead.