Getting Through Bootcamp
By: Haley Proctor
Tags: Bootcamp, Software Engineering, Self Improvement, Work Life Balance, Software Development

Going into an immersive bootcamp, I knew that the transition would be tough and that there was definitely a rude awakening waiting for me. Before the program began, I tried to stay consistent with extending my working hours to resemble that of a “normal day in the life.” I tried to cover all of the pre-work lessons and labs and ask questions or did deeper for more clarification. I also took a deep dive into youTube to hear of others’ experiences and their advice on how to approach an immersive bootcamp. These were good steps to take, but ultimately I feel that you can’t ever really know what works best for YOU until you’re in it.

I wanted to write this post because, throughout my experience so fat, one of my biggest priorities was to maintain my mental health. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into (the pursuit of) becoming a better functioning and more well-balanced person. The goal was to manage this extreme schedule and work load with no major set backs in terms of my that… here’s what I’ve noticed so far:

This is the list that I have created for myself to check in with, to help me find my balance throughout the bootcamp. The ‘Mental’ column is geared more towards the “life” side of the balance, while ‘Grind’ is, you guessed it, the “work” side. Let’s dig in a little deeper, starting with the MENTAL:

Photo by Jonathan Fink on Unsplash

Reach out to friends & family — staying connected to a support system is vital in going through such an intense program, even a text here and there will make a world of difference to know that you have others behind you in this. Get active! Start your day with a walk or a stretch, if you’re feeling ambitious, hit the gym after class. Keeping your body moving at whatever capacity will help with the long hours in front of the screen & will get your endorphins pumping! Set a timer — It’s easy to get sucked into cleaning, watching “an” episode, or catching up with friends, but don’t lose the whole day doing these things, it’s all about balance, remember? Give yourself 30min to step away, then get back to it. Declutter your space — While working from home, it’s easy to get distracted. Minimize the distractions by cleaning up your work area. A clean space allows for a clear mind. Journal — Writing out thoughts, frustrations, goals, whatever- the good and the bad can help, big time. Taking the time to step back and reflect can shed new light on old thoughts. go IRL! I’ve found it necessary for me to get out of my house, and have some in-person interactions. Even if it’s just down the road to work at a coffee shop. I feel noticeably better and get to check out new spots at the same time! OR knock out two birds with one stone and get in some activity outside ✓✓

This is a long list, don’t be overwhelmed trying to tackle many or all of these at once. Give one a try for a week and see how it impacts your well-being. If it doesn’t work, toss it and move on to the next. Just a reminder, these are what help me out, like mentioned before, everyone is different, so do works best for you!

Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash

Now that you’ve focused on your personal needs some, let’s switch gears to look at how to stay on that GRIND with your new found energy!