Adulting: Beginning a New Chapter

Transitioning from school like to working life may not be easy, but you don’t need to be a nervous wreck about it. Embrace the thrill of adulting, and it can be a very rewarding and hopeful experience!

As you take your first steps into the working world as a young professional fresh out of school, keep this in mind – you’re entering a new phase in your life. Working life is more than just surviving the day-to-day hustle. There’s no better time than now to take life by the reins and adopt the best life routines in order to get the hang of adulting in the working world as quickly as possible.

How do you start? Well, here’s a quick guide on how you can set the foundation to excel in your next stage in life!

Start your career like a boss

1. Prepare your wardrobe It doesn’t matter whether your first day is going to be physically in the office or over a virtual platform – dress well for work, but do keep in mind that it’s function over form. Depending on the nature of your work, look after your personal grooming and dressing to ensure it fits your needs and the image you should portray at work, be it in the office, a virtual platform, or when you’re facing external associates.

Think about what your recruiters or future colleagues were wearing during the recruitment process and plan your outfits accordingly. As a general rule, it’s always best to err on the side of formality on your first day.

3. Respect everyone Be friendly and approachable to everyone, whether they’re the managing director or janitor. Treat them with respect and kindness even as you get to know them through observation and interaction.

2. Make a good first impression Plan your commute to work in advance with the morning rush in mind. Take the time to also get to know what it takes for you to be alert and functioning in the morning, whether it’s a caffeine fix or power breakfast.

More than that, remain humble and show enthusiasm and commitment to your role and every given task – even if that means compiling documents to be kept in the right folders or manning the photocopier for a while.

4. Never stop learning On-the-job training is commonplace, so keep an open mind and be fearless when it comes to picking up new skills and taking on new projects. In this era, job scopes frequently change and employees are expected to be agile in thinking to deliver results.

It’s never too early to consider ongoing professional development. Make it a point to understand what resources are available at your disposal for further training and improvement – who knows, you may even find new professional areas of interests!

Thrive!

Even if you’re working from home, there are ample opportunities to start your career on the right foot. Know what’s expected of you in your new role and ensure you are fulfilling expectations as required, whether it’s for meeting deadlines or working well with your team.

Take care of your finances like an adult

1. Figure out your new budget Calculate your monthly expenditure and set aside some funds to cover these.

That doesn’t mean that the remainder of your finances goes into your next shopping bonanza, though! Instead, start building your savings in case a rainy day comes by. You’ll be glad for it once it does.

2. Consider taking up insurance Look through your current health insurance plan if you have one, and ask yourself if you need a more comprehensive one. If you do, conduct thorough research into which plan suits you best, and take steps to buying your new plan.

Alternatively, you can consider long-term investments.

3. Live within your means Although the struggle is real, especially with common flash sales on shopping platforms, strive to not spend more than you earn! If you don’t build your discipline now, it may be harder to control your spending habits in the future.

Thrive!

As long as you continue to stick to your budget and build your emergency funds while maintaining relevant insurance plans, chances are that you’re on track to being a successful, responsible adult. At the end of the day, the goal is to make the most of your salary so you don’t need to depend on your parents or anyone else financially.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

1. Find a diet that works for you If you’re working from home, instead of getting food delivered every other day, consider cooking. If you’re back in the office, you can bring homecooked food instead. A side benefit is that it tends to be easier on the wallet too!

2. Stay active This is especially important if your role is deskbound. Find a way to stay active and exercise on a regular basis.

If you dislike the very thought of jogging with a mask on, settle for a brisk walk. If you don’t want to go out, you can work out in the comfort of your living room instead with some Zumba classes over Zoom.

3. Keep your friends and family closeclose As you undergo this life-changing transition, you’ll need your loved ones’ support and encouragement. Make the effort to spend time with them. If they have more experience than you in the area of adulting, don’t be afraid to ask them for advice, too.

Thrive!

Being a working adult doesn’t end at the workplace. If you’re not taking care of your health, finances and mental well-being, it’ll be harder for you to be an excellent employee. Take some time to plan your schedule so you can fit in a fulfilling life outside of your 9-to-5, so once it’s time for work, you feel energised and happy to give your all. That’s when you know you’ve cracked the adulting code!