Don't feel pessimistic newtype! Congratulations on getting the job! You should just feel proud of yourself for getting that far!
You've only worked for three days and you shouldn't expect yourself to have learnt everything and be great all the time. When I got my first job working as a cashier, I just about flipped out after my first shift. There were so many things to remember: when to hit which button, number codes for the produce, trying to handle a customer at the same time as putting their order through and it just goes on. After that first day, I didn't think I could make it. I drove around in my parents van crying before going home, and then cried some more when I did get home. It seemed to be way too much and I didn't even understand how everyone else who was working there could remember everything. The next few days were also hard because I forgot a lot of things and cashing out at the end of the day was the worst. I couldn't figure it out and would make mistakes. But that wasn't the worst part, as if it wasn't bad enough making the mistakes, but I also would end up holding up other people who were wanting to go home at the end of the day since they had to wait for me! But after a couple of weeks things improved dramatically and I was able to remember mostly everything and I actually ended up having fun working there although it was often a very boring job.
Anyway, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to take away from your post and go on and on about me. I just wanted you to know that feeling overwhelmed when you first start a new job is completely normal - even for people without SA I think. Just pace yourself and don't expect to be an expert right away. No one else will. If you do get a blank with a customer or are having trouble in whatever way, just tell them that you've just started working there and are still learning! In my experience, people become so much more understanding when they find out that you're new. I wasn't afraid to tell people that when I was making mistakes and they were much more patient afterwards. I guess it's also a way of pointing out that you ARE a person too because I honestly believe people sometimes forget that when they deal with people in the service industry.
The memorization stuff will come in time. I doubt that dropping out of school has had that much effect on your memory. The less pressure you put on yourself, the better able your brain will be able to retrieve the info it needs to when you want it.
As for quitting, well, I hope it works out for you and that you stick with it. Even so, telling yourself that if by a certain date things don't improve, you're going to quit, can actually be helpful because you know you're not stuck there if you don't want to be. So if you want to put a deadline on it, that's fine if it helps you in the meantime with dealing with the stress.
So the only other thing I can say is good luck with it and hang in there! :hug
You've only worked for three days and you shouldn't expect yourself to have learnt everything and be great all the time. When I got my first job working as a cashier, I just about flipped out after my first shift. There were so many things to remember: when to hit which button, number codes for the produce, trying to handle a customer at the same time as putting their order through and it just goes on. After that first day, I didn't think I could make it. I drove around in my parents van crying before going home, and then cried some more when I did get home. It seemed to be way too much and I didn't even understand how everyone else who was working there could remember everything. The next few days were also hard because I forgot a lot of things and cashing out at the end of the day was the worst. I couldn't figure it out and would make mistakes. But that wasn't the worst part, as if it wasn't bad enough making the mistakes, but I also would end up holding up other people who were wanting to go home at the end of the day since they had to wait for me! But after a couple of weeks things improved dramatically and I was able to remember mostly everything and I actually ended up having fun working there although it was often a very boring job.
Anyway, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to take away from your post and go on and on about me. I just wanted you to know that feeling overwhelmed when you first start a new job is completely normal - even for people without SA I think. Just pace yourself and don't expect to be an expert right away. No one else will. If you do get a blank with a customer or are having trouble in whatever way, just tell them that you've just started working there and are still learning! In my experience, people become so much more understanding when they find out that you're new. I wasn't afraid to tell people that when I was making mistakes and they were much more patient afterwards. I guess it's also a way of pointing out that you ARE a person too because I honestly believe people sometimes forget that when they deal with people in the service industry.
The memorization stuff will come in time. I doubt that dropping out of school has had that much effect on your memory. The less pressure you put on yourself, the better able your brain will be able to retrieve the info it needs to when you want it.
As for quitting, well, I hope it works out for you and that you stick with it. Even so, telling yourself that if by a certain date things don't improve, you're going to quit, can actually be helpful because you know you're not stuck there if you don't want to be. So if you want to put a deadline on it, that's fine if it helps you in the meantime with dealing with the stress.
So the only other thing I can say is good luck with it and hang in there! :hug
