Third shift? 10pm to 6am... wait what?

[mylose64]

I just got a job and my first day/night is from 10pm to 6am. It's at a gas station (which is actually pretty nice surprisingly) and I'm a tad bit confused on what to expect.

I called them a few times and was sneaked in "I'm coming in 10pm at NIGHT to 6am in the MORNING right?"

I've never worked the 3rd shift.

Should I be sleeping now? Does anyone have or had "3rd shift" and have any ideas on what to expect or how to survive this crazy sleep schedule? Idk if it's a one time thing or what. I'm also a full time student.

 

[lordmage]

sleep at least by 1pm today wake up around 930

 

[Safira]

My hubby has worked odd hours. It's is a whole different culture of people who work night shift hours, but you'll find they are all there. Remember that a lot of fast food places and resturants are not open 24 hours so make sure to find out which ones are open.

When you get home you probably won't sleep right away, you'll want to relax a little just like you do after a day job, just try to give yourself a bed time. When you go to bed turn you cell phone ringer off, home phones off, and if needed put a sign on the door that says you have a killer dog trained to kill when the doorbell is rung. Friends and family will never understand that when they call you at 3pm that is like you calling them up at 12am.

Invest in some black out curtains, it really helps.

Also give yourself time to adjust, it will take a week or so for your body to get used it. Hubby seemed to want to sleep more I don't know if that is true for everyone.

 

[Mac]

Did it for over a year. The first few weeks sucked. Every noise woke me up. Every constuction worker and lawnmower woke me up. After a few weeks your internal clock adjusts and you could sleep through anything. Hang in there. It does get better.

 

[Airbrusher]

all the above... did it for 2.5 years before I decided I no longer wanted to be a vampire (that will make sense trust me).

 

[otrpu]

I've worked Graveyard shift for going on seven years. If I don't get at least 6 hours sleep, I'll doze off standing my watch. Soon as I notice I'm starting to doze off, get off my ... and make an outside round. It's cooler outside. This will clear the fog for awhile. Barring doing this, hit the head and splash cold water in my face. Not as effective as walking outside, but better than doing nothing. Best case is to get 8 hours sleep between 7am and 8pm daily on work days. I'm an old duffer, don't know if I'm supposed to need more or less sleep because of this. But, I know my back feels better when I get 8 hours sleep before going in to work. Time for me to shower and head in to work. Will be happy to answer more questions later if there are any. JMHO

ADDED:
One of the better things about working Graveyard Shift is you're driving too work when there's usually less traffic to deal with. Same thing when going home in the morning, I'm usually just ahead of the going to work rush congestion. It's really a big plus. I experience very little stress driving 21 miles each way.

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[angelique510]

I tend to run on a third shift schedule naturally - whether I have a job outside the home or not. For many years my husband worked third shift, so I was on his schedule. It compares to "normal life" like so:

Normal life
1st shift-----8am -5pm-----Working
2nd shift-----5pm - 11pm-----Stuff - errands, shopping, watching tv, socializing, etc
3rd shift-----11pm - 8 am-----Sleeping

Night shift life
1st shift-----8am -5pm-----Sleeping
2nd shift-----5pm - 11pm-----Stuff - errands, shopping, watching tv, socializing, etc
3rd shift-----11pm - 8 am-----Working

Basically, you are sleeping when everyone else is working, and you are working when everyone else is sleeping. The block of time when you do everything other than work or sleep is still the same as the rest of the world. Do not try to do anything else during the 9-5 hours. Day shift people rarely do anything during those hours. They can't; they're at work. They either wait until after work or take time off during thier work day - come in a little late or leave a little early to see the doctor, for example. They certainly don't make plans to do anything in the middle of the night, and no one expects them to do so.

The problem with third shift life is that people have the opinion thay you are lazy if you are asleep in the middle of the afternoon. The fact that you get a whole day's work done at night when everyone else is sleeping is ignored. If anyone gives you attitude about it - call them at 3am ask them why they are not up and about and getting stuff done like you are doing.

Try your best to stick to the three shift per day schedule. Dark curtains and earplugs are invaluable. Until your body gets used to it, a sleeping pill or a cup of chamomile tea at sunrise will help a lot.

Good luck.

~A

 

[Roach]

when I was a kid my dad worked swing shift. Every two weeks his shift would change. It made him crazy. Me and my brother got kicked out of the house on night shift weeks. Had to go play in the woods.

Kick the kids out of the house if you want to sleep!

 

[Bardolf Blaze]

I always slept from about 12-6 when I was on 3rd. Gave me a few hours before and after to get stuff done.

 

[lordmage]

i tend to sleep from 2-10 for my 12-8 shift.

 

[Techwipe]

I used to love it, but I was in data entry so I'd sit at a desk with headphones on, I was usually pretty stoned, too.

 

[cocorico]

I work similar hours 6pm-2:30am. I get home at around 3, eat something and chill for a little bit and go to bed at around 4-5. I love the drive home after work =]

 

[nanovapr]

with 2nd shift (evenings) you can only see other people on 2nd shift. 1st and 3rd can co-exist.

Remember though, on the weekends, you can out-party your 1st shift friends easily... "3 am? it's LUNCHTIME!!!"

 

[cocorico]

^^^ lol so true. When I go to work at 6 im tired. But after 10 im wide awake and full of energy.

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