Should I train myself for 0 WLB?

Hi people,

I'm an international student (think middle-east or Asia), who is performing military service. Because of my health conditions, I am instead working at a public office 9-6. I wake up to 7:30 am and get back home 7 pm with weekends and holidays to myself. Just have a funny question. As a wannabe banker, do you guys think I should live a healthy lifestyle by working out and sleeping early before heading to IB or get used to sleeping at 4 am by doing random tasks like reading and market research. Tbh I definitely do more work than the avg college student going through recruiting but just wanted your guys' 0.02. 

 
Most Helpful

Absolutely not... this type of thing is terrible on your body, mental health, sleep etc do not do it any longer than you need to. Right now you should be enjoying yourself while still in college. You don't need to go crazy healthy, strike a nice balance with your social life, studies, job etc.

Idk why people think they need to "train" for late nights. Trust me, the fear of god stricken in you by your deal teams will keep you awake when needed... Your body is never going to adapt to 3-4 hours of sleep. IB analysts just have little choice because they still have to go to work the next day. Sitting in a full office until 2-3am working your butt off on books that need to go out by 8am is a lot different than goofing off on your computer without any real work to do.

 

Hey there,

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle regardless of your career path. While the world of investment banking can be demanding with long hours, it's crucial to prioritize your health. Here are a few tips:

  1. Regular Exercise: Even if it's just a quick workout, it can help reduce stress and keep you energized. There are plenty of apps and websites that can guide you through quick and effective workouts.

  2. Adequate Sleep: While it might be tempting to stay up late to get more work done, lack of sleep can negatively impact your productivity and health in the long run. Try to get as much sleep as you can.

  3. Balanced Diet: Eating healthy can also boost your energy levels and overall health. Avoid relying too much on caffeine or energy drinks.

  4. Time Management: Try to manage your time effectively. This can help you find a balance between work, exercise, and rest.

Remember, it's not about training yourself for a work-life balance of zero, but rather finding ways to maintain your health and wellbeing in a demanding environment. After all, you're not a sumo wrestler, you're a future banker! Keep up the good work and don't forget to take care of yourself.

Sources: Getting the 1st Round Interview, Staying fit while traveling?, Struggling PE Analyst, [Very Long Post] Stepping Off the IB Train

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I had to complete my mandatory military service in an Asian country as well. Definitely don't go overboard with the hours like that. I occassionaly was forced to do all-nighters while being on watch duty, which in a way was good prep and a good story to tell. But without being forced to, take care of your health by sleeping well. Don't slack though, keep the studying and the grind up and don't slack after your 9-6 is over but don't be doing jack all and going to sleep at 10. You don't really need to prep for all-nighters, when the time comes, you just kinda do it. Until then, keep your health high, plenty opportunities to reduce your health bar later in life.

 

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