Hi everyone,
I know the hours in investment banking can be brutal, especially as a first-year analyst. I’m not expecting anything close to work-life balance, but I’d like to hear from people who’ve been through it what really helps you cope with 80-100 hour weeks without completely burning out? Are there specific routines, habits, or mindset shifts that made a difference for you?
Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to go in prepared and realistic.
Hi,
Really good that you’re thinking about this upfront. The hours are definitely intense, but there are ways to make it more manageable.
What helped me (and others I’ve seen get through it) was having a few basic things in place. First, routines help a lot! Even simple stuff like ordering dinner at the same time or blocking 15 minutes to walk outside when you can. Those little anchors make the week feel less like a blur.
Second, energy management over time management. You probably won’t control your schedule, but you can control what you do in the gaps. Quick workouts, decent food, power naps... Also, pick your battles. Not everything is worth perfection at 3am.
And honestly, mindset is huge. Knowing that it’s temporary, staying close with your analyst class, and keeping perspective helps more than any productivity hack. You’re not alone in it, and that really matters.
You won’t avoid the grind, but you can survive it without totally burning out and even grow a lot from it.
