That’s right. Whether it’s a new job or a new relationship, each of us coasts along a change curve. This change curve, basically a slippery dip of positive and negative emotions happens to every single one of us, in every single change. 

So, no matter what the change, it’s important to remember a few a few things. Firstly, the range of emotions we feel during a new change are completely normal – yep, even the bad ones. Secondly, while we all cruise through the curve, some go through it quickly while others it takes a bit longer. 

The best news about the change curve, is that when we know what stage we’re at, it’s easier to cope with how we feel.

Here’s the stages: Where are you? 

1. Shock: “I got the job?” You can’t believe your leaving school and starting an apprenticeship.

2. Denial: You’ve started work, and hear your mates talking about school. You still can’t believe this is you. It’s too good to be true.

3. Anger: “I can’t believe I have to work all Saturday”. This is when we start cruising down the curve and into a bit of a dip. Usually at this point you feel stressed, angry, irritable and start questioning whether this is right for you. At this point, those without mental toughness usually chuck it in.

4. Resignation: You’re ready to through your towel in. You’ve just found out you have to work another weekend and you’ve missed your best mates 18^th. This sucks.

5. Acceptance: Your boss tells you, you do a good job. Suddenly you start to see that this isn’t as bad as you thought and come to accept your new way of life.

6. Commitment: Things are getting even better, you still have to work some weekends but can see the big picture and know if you work hard now you’ll get rewarded later.

Being an apprentice is not an easy job, especially in the beginning. Think about it this way: you and friends know how to contact each other, know how to talk to each other and know what each other likes and doesn’t like. 

As an apprentice, you have to learn all this about your boss in a short space of time, as well as how to do your job.

To add even more pressure, chances are, the way your boss likes doing things, isn’t what suits you.

Make life easy as easy as possible.

Here’s a few simple rules that new apprentices should follow:

1. Ask your boss how they would like things done.

2. Keep your boss up to date with your work, let them know your progress.

3. Arrive on time for work, that means 5 minutes early.

4. Choose the topics you talk about at work carefully, if you’ve gone out the night before don’t make that the focus of the day.

5. Thank people who teach you or show you things.

6. Show respect to your boss even if you don’t agree with their decisions.

7. If you need to tell you boss something, call them, or speak in person – don’t text them.

8. Say hello and speak to people you meet on the job.

9. If you don’t know how to do something ask – there’s no such thing as a stupid question.

10. Take initiative and offer help don’t stand back and wait to be asked.

It is amazing how hard it can be to get used to being “at work” 38 hours or more every week.  Just like at the start of each sporting season it can take between 6-8 weeks to get fit enough to play well, the same can apply at work.

Your body has to adjust to any number of possibilities, a Cook will be in a very hot environment, a Hairdresser may stand on a hard floor all day, a Builder may be lifting, carrying and climbing. Each of these activities can knock you out when you first start working and it is up to you to manage and cope with these new demands on your body and mind.

But how do you get prepared?  Here are 8 points to remember:

1. Try to never skip meals.  Eating breakfast, lunch and dinner every work day is critical when starting a new job.

2. Try to get a decent sleep (8 hours) most nights and make sure you have an alarm clock that works.

3. If you are going to party, then make sure you can:

a)      Still get to work on time

b)      Be legally able to go to work

4. Try to manage your fitness (this will really help at about week 4 of your Apprenticeship when you start feeling tired).

5. Always remember you are now being paid, so be on time, mind your language and your manners.

6. When you go to TAFE (or classroom training) remember it is not a day off, you are being paid to attend so don’t treat it like a joke.

7. Get a pocket sized notepad and every time you ask questions (you should be asking plenty) or every time you learn something new, write it down rather than just relying on memory because chances are you will forget (especially the day after Point 3).

8. If you are being driven to work by family or friends it is polite to chip in for fuel costs now that you are being paid.