First day of work: how to deal with stress?
Whether it's a student job, a permanent contract or a work-study program, the first day of work is always scary, even for the most experienced. New environment, new colleagues, new tasks... It's a challenge that is as exciting as it is scary! It's also something we all go through, and learning how to deal with stress is essential.
When stress sets in
You've just gotten the job you've been craving. Or you simply got a temporary job (student/fixed-term contract) to earn some money and/or experience. Or you have become an intern as part of your studies or whatever. Whatever the scenario, your first day of work is coming up and you think about it several days in advance, with a lump in your stomach. You make scenarios in your head to prepare for any situation that may arise.
On the first day, the anxiety is at its peak : we are tense, nerveux.se. When you arrive at the workplace, you arrive in a completely unknown environment, the groups have already been formed for a while and you have just arrived, understanding that you will have to learn the whole culture of this company. You start to doubt your abilities and wonder if, in the end, this position was really for you. Sound familiar ?
Why so much stress ?
If you're stressing so much, it's because you're afraid that things will go wrong! Whether your colleagues are mean/cold, the premises don't suit you, your manager/boss makes your life difficult, etc. And that's completely normal: when faced with the unknown, the mind tends to be very nervous and plan for the worst to prevent it. So don't tell you that something is wrong with you : we have all been there and we will all go through it for each new job/internship.
But then, how do you manage stress ? Although it is normal to feel it, it is never very pleasant, and it is very often of little use to the situation. To manage the stress of your first day, don't hesitate to follow these few tips.
Managing the stress of the first day : the steps to follow
Calm down
It sounds pretty obvious, and easier said than done, but it's the first step to managing stress! Breathe slowly, put things into perspective, in short, make sure to calm your heart rate and your anxious thoughts. When you think about it, very few things in life are really serious. Chances are, your first day will go really well. And if something goes wrong... So what? Is it the end of the world? Every situation has its solution and panicking doesn't help! Notify when the time is right and take care of yourself the days before (sleep, healthy eating, meditation if desired, etc.).
Be prepared
Nothing is worse for stress than arriving late, sweaty on the first day of work. It's also the best way to give a bad impression before you've even shown up on site. So, the second step to follow is to be ready for this first day ! Dress well, pack your bag the night before, leave home a little earlier. Don't hesitate to make a list, in the days before, of things to do/prepare for your first day. This way, you will spend less time telling yourself "I don't want to forget to do this!" and stressing out.
Be confident
As mentioned above, stress surely makes you think that you don't deserve this job. You then experience imposter syndrome. This stress persuades you that you are not up to the task and that the company should have taken someone else. I can reassure you right away : you are not here for nothing. In order to avoid the stress of the first day, remember that, out of all the candidates interviewed, you were taken for the job, and not the others ! This means that you have all the necessary skills to carry out this job/internship. The recruiter saw something in you!
Watch and stay curieux.se
You are new and you have a lot to learn! Take note of what you are told. Remember that you will probably have a lot of information to ingest and rules to apply in the next few days. Being attentive, curious and observant will allow you to be better prepared for what awaits you (tasks, company culture, colleagues, habits, etc.) and thus, you will stress less.
Give yourself time
Once again, we remind you: you have just arrived ! The goal is absolutely not to enter a competition and prove that you are the employee of the century ! Take some time to get used to this new position. Be indulgent in the face of your mistakes. Repeat to yourself that you are in the middle of a learning phase, even if you have a lot of experience in the field.
Stay positive !
When you're too stressed, the people around you feel it. This will probably be the case with your new colleagues, and it could give you a (distorted) reputation. When you arrive: be positif.ve! Laugh, smile, be open to discussion, and show that you're approachable and full of good intentions. This way, relationships with your colleagues will start in the best way!
To manage the stress of the first day, in the end, you just need to have confidence in yourself and be prepared, both physically and mentally. If you've gotten to where you are, it's for a reason. Remember that !
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