EVERYONE feels like trash when they first start. I’ve been there 3 years and always tell my green beans not to get upset or over worked when you make a mistake or don’t know the answer to something. There’s a crazy amount to memorize and you’ll get it. 3 years later I’m still getting flustered at the amount of standards there are to memorize. Plus being a ssv doesn’t help !

Get to know your fellow partners and be yourself. You’ll make amazing work friends. Both with customers and employees !

As a shift, when a barista asks for some time on bar, I’m happy to give them some, and will fit them in to some times when it’s not so busy they’d be drowning.

And even when it is that busy, don’t focus too much on being fast. These aren’t hard numbers but I’ve noticed, both myself and others, the faster you try to go, the more mistakes you make, and a 5% increase in speed might mean your remaking every fourth or fifth drink, which means it may actually take you longer.

Speed comes with practice, but things like routine and beverage accuracy are more habit. If you focus on getting those down, real speed will naturally start to follow.

If you do get stuck on bar when it’s busy, try your best to give as close to a genuine smile as possible, and really sound like you want the customer to have a good day and that you appreciate them; it’s a lot harder to be angry at someone that you’ve made even a slight emotional attachment to, use this to your advantage.

Above all, remember that this is supposed to be a fun job. Starbucks values partners who raise each other up, so hopefully your partners are doing this for you. When I start getting stressed, I look to see who I’m working with who is also getting stressed, and I try to cheer them up(maybe by telling a joke, or assuring them they’re doing a great job or whatever. When they’re relieved, some of that weight gets lifted off my shoulders, and it’s a little easier to find the joy again.

I started over a month ago, and I understand where you’re at. The best thing you can do is grow comfortable on pos and practice drinks with your partners during slow periods.

Uh. If you're really great at support, you're like 10x more important than that one extra drink you can make in a minute.

Be great at support and connecting, practice until you're good enough at bar.

I felt useless and in the way for about a month or so. For me it was a matter of being thrown on bar and just doing it. Lots of repetition. My trainer had an attitude, was very impatient, and overall not very helpful, so I asked other partners tons of questions (still do, been there about 4 months).

Ask your shift when it's calmer (not sure what shift you work) if you can try bar. If it's busy on your shifts, it does make some sense that you're on support or register. Keep in mind that if you weren't doing those, everything would fall apart. All positions are crucial!

You got this, OP. Just ask, communicate, be patient, and keep kicking ass on support and register for now.