Work-Life-Balance in investment banking

Maintaining work-life balance in IB is tough, but not impossible. From my internship, I learned that setting small boundaries is key. For example, I tried to carve out at least 30-60 minutes (sounds like not a lot, but keeping it up everyday is not easy) a day for myself, whether it was to eat properly, go for a walk, or just disconnect from screens. It’s also about efficiency: stay organized, prioritize tasks, and don’t be afraid to ask your team for clarity or help. That said, some weeks will just be brutal, so it’s important to accept that and focus on recharging when things slow down a bit. Finally, I found that staying in touch with friends or family, even briefly, helped me stay grounded.

But obvs only did a 3 month internship so full-time might differ. Hope this helps!

Hey There!

Maintaining work-life balance in your first year of investment banking is difficult, but not impossible if you manage your time and energy wisely. The hours are long and unpredictable, so the key is to control what you can. Focus on building strong habits — keep your calendar updated, stay organized with task lists, and block small windows of time to reset, even if it’s just a walk or a quick meal away from your screen. Small routines can go a long way in staying grounded.

Communication also helps. Build good relationships with your team and be clear about your bandwidth when you’re overwhelmed. Seniors often appreciate transparency, especially when it comes with a solution-oriented mindset. Outside of work, pick one or two things that help you recharge — whether it’s a workout, catching up with friends, or a quiet hobby — and protect that time when possible. You may not have balance every day, but setting some boundaries early helps avoid burnout and keeps you effective in the long run.

In your first year, work-life balance in IB is tough but not impossible. Prioritize efficient work—focus on what really matters and avoid getting stuck in perfectionism. Learn to manage your time and say no politely when needed. Use downtime to recharge, even if it’s short breaks or weekends when possible. Building good relationships with your team helps too—they can support you and sometimes shield you from unnecessary tasks. Accept that some weeks will be intense, but keep long-term balance in mind by staying healthy and setting boundaries where you can.