As I settle into my apartment in DC I’ve come to realize a few things about the working world…when you work a job 9-5 you have so much time! Today was actually the first day that I realized this. I went to pick up a package from someone and got home before 6:30. I proceeded to make a quick dinner and then ate and cleaned up and was done by 8! How could this be 8 o’clock and I was free?
While it seems that the majority of entry level jobs are not 9-5 those of you who are lucky enough to have such a job complain not, you are a lucky man or woman. Yes college is fun, the ability to wake up at noon is awesome, but I myself did not have the luxury of free time this past semester. While I did have an active social life that was reserved for some (most before grad school) Thursday nights and Friday and Saturday nights. There was none of this let’s hang out at 5pm because I have no other obligations. And there was no such thing as a carefree Sunday.
Although there are all these awesome things about the working world there are also a ton of negatives. No flexibility. Barely any daylight. The clothes.
Let’s start with no flexibility. It is so hard for me to adjust to sitting in the same spot for 8 hours with the occasional walk around the office and maybe going outside for some fresh air or a bite to eat, but basically you are sitting at the same chair and desk, staring at the same screen for 8 hours straight. On top of that if you want to make plans with someone you have to wait till after 5 or 6… You can’t run errands or meet up with anyone until that designated time when you are finally a free woman.
Second, there is barely any daylight. For me this is the biggest thing. I work in an office with practically no windows. It makes me feel desperate to break through those walls to get just a glimpse of sunlight, a privilege I never knew I had. Although it’s freezing in Champaign and I wouldn’t trade that for the 70 degree weather I experienced today, in college you are constantly moving from classes, buildings, and apartments. You are always outside which is great and terrible all at the same time depending on the weather. But no matter what, you are guaranteed your dose of fresh air, something that I miss when I’m cooped up in an office with minimal sunlight all day long. Also, when the sun goes down I suddenly feel like I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything.
Lastly the clothes. Yea the clothes can be awesome, but I also miss my jeans, I miss my cute tops, I miss my non-dressy shoes. I like dressing up don’t get me wrong, but at the same time I never dress down anymore…I guess that’s what weekends are for.
So in conclusion, while the working life has many positives it can also be a downer at times. I long for those college days (two months ago) when I could walk or ride my bike back and forth in a pinch. Say hi to friends between classes, or chill out and read a book on the quad. Don’t get me wrong college is not all fun and games, but when the weather is nice, or even when it’s not let the sunshine in, cuz you may not get the chance once you graduate.
No comments:
Post a Comment