Work Experience starting tomorrow, sick with nerves!

rawn

I've always been shy and quiet, and when I'm around people I tend to freeze up like a deer in the headlights, or start laughing nervously at nothing. I kept to myself in college, was too nervous to talk to anyone, but then my friend joined my class and things have been better! Once I have someone I know with me I'm usually fine! But anyways, tomorrow I start 2 weeks of work experience. I'll be on my own working one-on-one with a person I've never met, with a lot of time spent in her home and her car. I'm so nervous right now I feel like I'm gonna vomit. I want to do well and come across as confident and capable but I'm terrified I'll freeze up or have nothing to say or start laughing nervously. I dunno how to calm down! Freaking out!

Jenneke87

Don't. I'm a little bit in the same position as you, as in that I start in a new position next week with absolutely no experience in that field of work at all and I'm nervous that I'll make an *ss out of myself, drop plates, spill drinks etc. Just remember people will not be watching you like a hawk and they know that you'll make mistakes and they also have to get used to you too.

If I feel really nevous in a situation I tell the other person, and they never thought it weird, if anything they tried to make me feel better and were really attentative. Enjoy your work experience and try to get as much out of it as you can. Good luck!

Stavro Mueller

Have you never worked anywhere before?
When you go to this place tomorrow, the woman you're going to be with will know you're nervous. Why wouldn't you be? I'd say just about everyone is when they start a new job. I did work experience when I was a youngster and everyone was very kind to me. In just about every place I've worked in since then, we've had people in on work experience. Again, I've found that people do make an effort to make the new face feel at home. I'm sure this woman will be the same. Don't forget she doesn't know you from Adam either so she'll be trying to establish some sort of good relationship with you as well. I'm sure she's conscious that you'll be in her house and travelling around with her for the fortnight - it's not in her interests to fall out with you.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself to perform. Don't go in all guns blazing on day 1 (or think you should be). She isn't going to have you doing work of any great importance at the start - the most important thing for you to do is to listen. It's all well and good to have the theory from college but it doesn't always translate directly into a workplace. You have two weeks to make a good impression and I'm sure you will be fine. Just work on getting through day 1.

As an aside, if you suffer this badly from anxiety have you ever sought help for it? Maybe you will become better at dealing with people as time goes on but if you still find yourself struggling, something like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy might be of help to you. have you made any friends in college? It's great that your friend joined the class but you won't have that comfort blanket forever.

rawn

Thanks for the replies. I have worked before but have always performed badly due to the fact that I never form any relationships with my coworkers and am too nervous to ask questions or join in conversations. It makes me feel physically sick to start talking and have people looking at me. I have formed a few friendships in college, it gets easier over time seeing the same people every day I can feel more relaxed and less anxious. She seems so lovely in her emails, I'm sure she'll be really nice and all, I'm just living in fear of the awkward silences And it's kind of funny but I've considered getting professional help for me anxiety but I'm too shy to talk to anyone about it. This is actually the first time in any capacity that I have spoken about it

Stavro Mueller

In a way, being with just the one person for the 2 weeks might suit you better. You'll only have to deal with one person and if she turns out to be as nice as she comes across in the emails, you'll be grand. Anyway, it is only work experience you're talking about here - once the two weeks are up you'll quickly be forgotten about.

There's a sticky at the top of this forum which lists different organisations you can contact for help. Or you could start by talking to your GP if you feel up to that. Either way, I hope you go get the help you need so that you can have a happier experience when you do start working.

amdublin

Bet of luck tomorrow Rawn.

Completely understandable you are nervous but I am sure it will go well for you. If there is anything you don't understand don't be afraid to ask the lady to go through it with you again.

You will be fine! Sending positive vibes your way

rawn

Thanks everyone! It helped just to say it out loud (figuratively speaking)

FloatingVoter

Tell the person you'll be working with that you're nervous and don't want to screw up. This is a far better approach than putting on an act. Guaranteed whoever is mentoring you felt exactly the same on their first day. Does not matter if the job is laying brick or building a spaceship.

Chucky the tree

Probably best in the long-term to seek professional help. Even send of an email to someone to get the balling rolling if you are afraid to do it in person/over the phone.

Matteroffact

If you are nervous it might be hard for you to take in what is being said to you so the best tip I can give you is to write down the important things you are being told. Have a pen and notebook handy and then you can refer back to your notes at the end of the day or when you want to remember what you have been told. That is invaluable because when everything is new to you it will be impossible to remember all. Nobody will mind you saying "hold on a tick until I take a note of that" in fact they will be impressed that you are so conscientious. So relax, this is just work experience and you are not expected to be a whizz kid.