Now that I’ve finished my last day of school, I wanted to share a list of things I’m looking forward to—and a few I’m not—as I begin a six-month restaurant externship. What started as ten items grew a bit as I remembered more. I hope to update this list later to see how my expectations compare to reality.
Things I’m Looking Forward To…
1) Making food for real customers. It’s a little terrifying, but also exciting to go from starting culinary school six months ago to working in a restaurant where I’ll be responsible for plating dishes for paying guests. As someone who loves dining out, it’s rewarding to know I’ll be part of the experience on the other side of the pass.
2) Practical tests. Practical exams caused me the most stress in culinary school. I’ve always been test-anxious, so I’m glad I won’t be worrying about scheduled exams anymore. Of course, every shift will present its own challenges, but I’m trying not to label them as tests to reduce stress.
3) No more commuting. My 20-mile commute to school wasn’t as bad as I feared, but I’m relieved to leave DC traffic and unpredictable transit behind. That said, the city’s transit system has its own issues, so time will tell how long my relief lasts. Also, I won’t miss wearing neckerchiefs or those unflattering hats.
4) Making money. It won’t be a windfall, but it’ll be nice to see deposits in my account instead of only withdrawals. Even modest pay feels like a milestone after school.
5) Breakfast. I love breakfast but dislike eating it before 6 a.m. during school. I’m looking forward to leisurely mornings and real breakfasts before work rather than rushed early meals.
6) No more early morning wake-ups. I won’t be setting an alarm for 5:30 a.m. every day. I enjoy early productivity, but I rarely get to bed early enough for it to be easy, so this change is a welcome relief.
I look a little tired, no?
Things I’m Not Looking Forward To…
1) Saying goodbye. It’s only been a few days since school ended, and I already miss my classmates. Spending 40 hours a week with the same group for six months builds a close bond. Thank goodness for texting and social media to stay in touch.
2) Dinner. I’ll miss eating dinner at home with Connor, family, or friends most nights. While I’ll enjoy breakfast again, dinner will likely be something I get at home only a couple of times a week, which is a downside.
3) Not having a life. Working long, late hours on your feet and not having regular days off makes maintaining social connections hard. Instructors often say, “The people you work with will become your new family,” and I’m hoping that proves true quickly—working hard is much easier with teammates you enjoy.
4) No more three-day weekends. Three-day weekends were a major perk in school, and I became used to them. Adjusting to a schedule with irregular days off and fewer consecutive days off will take time. (In my first week I learned I’ll have tomorrow and Saturday off, so schedules can surprise you.)
5) The real world. No more grades to measure progress and less hand-holding as I learn on the job. Our school prepared us honestly for this transition, but it’s still difficult to leave a supportive learning environment.
Headed to work for my first shift…
6) Working in a kitchen during DC summer. The heat is already intense, and kitchen shifts in 100+ degree conditions are brutal. I’m always sweating—definitely a challenging part of this time of year.
Thanks for reading and following along. Look out for a new recipe post in the next day or two!