To My Cashier at Publix
It was a normal weekday evening. After dinner, I decided to run to the grocery store to get enough groceries for the week. I typically go on the weekend, but it just hadn’t happened that particular weekend. I grabbed what I needed, then headed to the shortest checkout line.
The cashier asked, “paper or plastic,” then looked at my shirt. Being employed at Eastern Florida State College (and it being my alma mater), I own more EFSC shirts than I should probably admit, but hey—I’m proud to be an EFSC Titan!
The cashier wanted to know if I teach at Eastern Florida. I told him I don’t teach, but I am an alum, and I work at the college full-time. He mentioned that he’s starting classes soon to earn his A.A. degree, that it would be his first time in college, and that he was nervous.
I love meeting new students. It brings me back to my very first class at EFSC. It was the summer after my high school graduation. While most students take the summer off, I decided to take a biology class. Although this first college class was a little more rigorous than I had anticipated, it made for an easier Fall Term. By then, I knew my way around campus, and I knew what I could expect from the college experience.
There are a lot of things that I wanted to talk to the cashier about to help calm his nerves. I wanted to know which classes he would be taking this term. I wanted to know about his career interests. I wanted to know why he was nervous. Personally, if I can pinpoint where my nerves are coming from, then I can better prepare myself for the task at hand, which typically makes me less nervous! I had a lot of advice to share, but my transaction was complete, the bags were in my cart, and the person behind me was giving me a look that clearly said “move along.”
Still, better late than never. So, to my cashier at Publix, should you ever see this: If I have any advice for your first term at EFSC, it’s to embrace change, ask questions, and try new things.
Embrace Change
Making a change can bring on some nerves because you never fully know what’ll happen. While you know that starting college is an investment in your future, other parts of your life will change, too. You may be asking yourself how your daily schedule will change. Will your friends change? Will your priorities change? Will you be successful? What if you fail?
When change happens, it’s easy to think about the possible negative effects—but I challenge you to think about how your daily life might change for the better. In other words, embrace the change!
Ask Questions
Asking questions can be nerve-racking because, in a way, you’re making it known that you don’t know something—but that’s okay! Even seasoned scholars and professionals still ask questions; they don’t know everything either. You need to start somewhere, and that somewhere might be with a question.
Maybe you’ll want to ask what resources are available to you at EFSC. In addition to asking questions, never be afraid to ask for help when you need it! EFSC has Academic Success Centers, where students can get free tutoring. We also have free, confidential counseling through EFSCares, the Titan2Titan program (a food pantry and professional clothing closet that serves Titans in need), TRiO Student Support Services, and more.
Above all, stay curious and keep asking questions. To that end, I’m so glad that you asked me about my shirt instead of starting with the usual, “Hi, how are you?” It brought on a really meaningful conversation.
Try New Things
College is one of the best times to try new things, both inside and beyond the classroom.
Need some inspiration? Check out our Career Planning and Development Centers to learn more about which careers might align with your goals and values—some of those might be new to you. Get involved in the causes you care about by joining student clubs or by volunteering through EFSC’s service-learning program. It’s a great way to meet new people!
Don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know where new opportunities could take you.
And good luck with your classes. I look forward to hearing about them the next time I’m in your checkout line.
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