Big Caffeinated Hello, and cry for help.

Hello All!

I'm new here. I feel lucky to have found such a vocal and supportive group of people to share ideas with. Yay, Chef Talk!

I was just accepted to Johnson & Wales and I will start this fall. I'm pretty excited, and pretty nervous. I will be working full time as well as attending school. 8AM to 4PM at work then drive an hour to school then 6:30PM to 10:30PM in class. I guess I'll need that Caffeine now, more than ever.

Any of you out there have any advice on how to stay focused and keep my energy up during my long days ahead? No advice too silly, really...
CS

[ February 26, 2001: Message edited by: Coffee Snob ]

[momoreg]

Congratulations. J&W is a great school. Just keep loving what your doing, and the focus will be there. It can be really tiring, but stay positive. The rewards can be very gratifying.

[Chef David Simpson]

If you love to cook then you will not have any problems focusing on what your doing. Try getting up at 3:30 in the morning and being at work until 1:00 am the next morning. Or staying up for two or three days because you want everything perfect. These are the facts of the industry.Can you handle that!!!

Chef David.
Yes! I think I can. I've been working in the industry for about 6 years now and I just need to take my career to the next level. A degree will make me look better to employers (and creditors! Someday I will open my own restaurant.)
As a woman, and a career-changer I think I need all the tools I can get my hands on.

I haven't been in the classroom in 13 years. I am worried about mental focus and balance.
CS

[LoriB]

More power to you! I did the same, worked full time(in Boston) and attended J&W for 2 years (though I went to the weekend program) all the while mothering two babies. My only thoughts are:
After battling rush hour traffic and saying Hi to "The Bug" (you'll see if you don't know what I'm talking about yet..) take a few minutes in the car to close your eyes and meditate or relax before going in.
Trader Joes sells caffeinated mints called Zingos, also coffee candies both of which you can sneak in your pockets since you probably won't be able to take coffee in the classroom.
When you get home, relax and meditate again so that you can make the most of what sleep you get. Don't get too behind in sleep, it catches up with you!
David, I think you were flexing your macho muscles - we all know the long hours, but two years of a gruelling schedule is different from two days, or even months! It really requires planning and she is right to be concerned about burn-out beforehand - mise en place !!!!!!!

[Chef David Simpson]

LoriB, You are, what all chefs should be! More to that, I believe that no matter how stressful our work is, we must strive be more than what we are. I'm working on my Master's in Hospitality Manegement and I will go on from there. Education is the key to everything, I believe.
Coffeesnob, you go girl!!!!

LoriB,
Thank you for the helpful advice. I've done the meditating thing before - having worked two jobs most of my life. (The problem is not dozing off in the car.. ) I think I will definately work it back in to my routine! It's going to be an exciting four years, I can't wait to start!
[I can't have coffee in class??!!]

ChefDavid,
Best of luck with your masters! I agree that education should never stop. I am discovering that most successful folks in this industry are always stretching, growing & learning.

[Nicko]

Coffeesnob I was worried about the exact same thing. Although I did the complete opposite of you in terms of getting out of the kitchen after 16 years and going back to college to get a degree in computer programming. I was petrified knowing one of my first classes Algebra. Of course I was also worried about focusing and just being able to pass tests etc.

It is amazing how much better you focus when you have a strong goal in your heart. It is important to take some quiet time and just get focus. For me I try to spend time a little time each morning reading my bible and praying it really helps me to be thankful and focus.

Take some time, life can get so busy that we forget to live it. Really excited for you, please keep us posted.

Coffee Snob - Good luck. I put myself thru school working full-time during the day and staying awake at night. I had great help from a wonderful program at DePaul. It was still difficult handling 40+ hours in the office and 40+ hours at school and probably more w/homework. I finished my four-year degree in three years. It can be done. Yoga and meditation made it all seem right.

[cape chef]

hey CS,

Welcome to cheftalk.

I hope to dine at your restaurant someday.
Good luck
cc

Thanks Nicko, That means alot to me.
I think I will work harder knowing that my peers actually care how I'm doing.
(and they might understand when I falter)

Cape Chef,
You are SO invited to the grand opening!


CS

[ March 02, 2001: Message edited by: Coffee Snob ]

[lynne]

Welcome Coffee Snob! !

Breathe and focus and you WILL get through it!

Most importantly -- make sure to take a little bit of time (even if it's just half and hour!) and relax, have fun. You can't put 100% in all the time without taking a few minutes for yourself. Read a book, rent a movie or sneak in a massage. You will feel and work better for it!

Again, Congratulations and Good Luck! It can be a wonderful time!

lynne

Thanks lynne!
I just started a night job to get me in the habit of standing for 15 hours a day.
I think I already need that massage...
CS