As Cartman's Twin says, it is difficult to adjust initially when you come out of the college but it doesn't take too long to get into the pattern.
I've worked 9-5pm before in a previous job and I have to say I much prefer shift work to that. Ok, getting up at 5.30am for a morning isn't always pleasant (esp in the winter!) but it's normally only for 2 days, so on the third morning you have a nice lie in to recover.
Being able to go shopping, cinema, dentist etc when most other people are at work is what I appreciate (maybe that's just me!?)- and also not having the joys of the 9-5pm traffic!
Yes night shifts are the not the easiest but hopefully you won't have to do too many in a row-at my unit they're spread out evenly between the atco's.
Obviously each to their own, but I personally wouldn't change the working pattern.
AFH x