Five Tips to Adjust to Your Week Like a Pro!

Walk after work: you'll get shots like this!

Happy summer, everyone! I'm Alyssa Bailey, a senior journalism and French major graduating in December (so close, I know!) at UNC and Cafme's co-president this fall. I interned at Cosmopolitan last summer in New York, just wrapped up an editorial internship at Women's Wear Daily in Paris (you CAN intern abroad, and it's incredible) and am working as an editorial intern at ELLE this year, a dream internship. And the experience has been a dream itself!

After only a short week — less than seven days! — being home from Paris I came up to New York to start working. I've met a lot of great people since starting and love the work I've been doing. It's really a culmination of all the skills I've gained over my other internships (I've had six), and I was able to jump right in very comfortably.

Whether you're a veteran or not, however, there is one adjustment point that's a bit tricky during the first week that is natural for everyone: going from having pure summer to working 40-hour weeks straight. Your body — and mind — have to adjust to a day at the desk. It gets easier, but here are some tips I've used to help the transition.

• Drink plenty of water. I am not a coffee person, but Google natural ways to stay awake, and you'll see a cold glass of water is one. I'm fortunate that the office I work at offers water to us so I don't hesitate to fill a cup every now and then as a means to stay alert, get out of my seat and just stay hydrated. Hydration is a HUGE bonus here: East Coast interns, be sure to drink plenty! This summer is going to be a hot one. 
• Exercise. I'm a jogger, and one of the things that really helps my day start on the right note is a nice morning jog around Central Park before work (I go every other day). But you don't have to be an early-rising, 5-mile runner to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Have a nice walk or jog after work. Research free yoga classes in your area. Do something physical to keep your body and mind at their sharpest — and continue that healthy habit into fall and beyond!
• Make plans after work. It's seriously so easy to hop on that subway home, make dinner and then just want to sleep. You've had a long, exciting day. Time to rinse and repeat. But challenge yourself to stay awake and take advantage of where you are and the friends you're making. Make dinner plans with fellow interns. Go to a happy hour. Or for those of you strapped for cash (most of us), just suggest a walk around the park or city. Lit skylines across the U.S. are beautiful and an evening stroll in a more prominent area (don't forget your safety) is a great way to be blown away and end your day on a high note. You never know what you'll stumble into! (A friend and I walked around Central Park one night this week after work, and we managed to pass an outdoors Foster the People concert. The positive externality there? We got to hear their music live for free!)
• Make to-do lists. If you're an organizer, making to-do lists can help you keep your efforts sharp at the desk. Pinpoint what you need to do to stay efficient and have definite direction as the hours roll by. This isn't just a great way to help adjust to the work day; it's a great strategy to be the efficient, reliable intern your editor or boss will love.
• Take tiny breaks here and there. Just finish a big project? Take a five minute break to get water, check a news site, check your publication's home page or just do anything to clear your mind before you jump into project number 2. It'll help your mind mark the transition between assignments and will keep your concentration razor sharp without taking up too much of your day!

What tips do you have? Has adjusting to the work week been a cake walk or a bit trickier? It's OK either way, but share and discuss in the comments! And for those of you starting next week (or the week after), enjoy your summer and be confident! You are going to rock this. Good luck and until next time!