5 tips on how to survive your PGCE year

Nothing is more daunting than the sudden realisation that, as you walk onto campus for the first time, in a year you’ll be a teacher. Not just a dreamer who has always wanted to be at the helm of a classroom – but, instead, a real person with 30-or-so little people as your responsibility. It’s easy to wonder why, as you swipe your student card, what on Earth got you to this point. Your passion and drive to follow your dream career only just outweighs the intense nerves and trepidation that in a few weeks time you’ll be unleashed in a school you’ve probably never heard of with kids that have never seen you before.

Having said that, it really does get easier. In fact, every single day becomes a little brighter and you get more of a skip in your step. Life moves on pretty fast – it feels like I started my PGCE yesterday and I’m halfway into the first term as a qualified teacher. I survived my PGCE and so did every other member of the course. Some, however, decided that teaching wasn’t the journey for them. They’re still alive and absolutely thriving though. Your worst-case scenario at this point is realising it’s not for you. Good odds… if you ask me.

Your PGCE year can be stressful and full of trials and tribulations but it can also be a source of positive, fun, empowering, confidence-boosting and completely random events that you will face day-to-day as a teacher. Here are a few things I wish I’d have known before I started my year.

1. Your mentor wants you there

When you first walk into school (or sometimes even before you start your placement) your first contact will be your class mentor. This is (the vast majority of the time) also the teacher of the class you’ll be teaching in. It’s a big thing to let a complete stranger come in and teach your class in front of you, I’m sure, but you need to remember one thing: this person asked to have a student. No self-respecting headteacher would force a member of staff to take on a student – it comes with a colossal amount of more responsibility and even more unnecessary paperwork. Yet, they still made that choice. So, the point I’m trying to make is you need not be scared or nervous to speak to your mentor. You are new to this and they are not. You are the apprentice and they are your master (for now). They expect to be questioned on their practice because it will help you develop. Never be afraid to ask questions to push yourself. If you ever want something clarifying, get it clarified. You will not access your greatest teaching potential if you do not let yourself learn from experience.

2. Do your paperwork now

Anyone I spoke to before the PGCE told me that it was a fun year but “you’ll drown in paperwork”. Every single person did. They told me it would be the longest most brutal year of my life and I will never get rid of paperwork as it will follow you everywhere. Now, I managed to get through my PGCE without any drowning and whilst being pretty much on top of things. This is because I ensured that the paperwork was done immediately. If something needed doing by next week and you have a spare 5 minutes later in the day – get it done now. You’ll not rush and you can then prioritise accordingly. Your PGCE review meetings will require you to describe key events/reflections – write them now so 1) you don’t forget it and 2) you’re in the correct frame of mind to answer key questions.

3. Experiment

This will not be a first-day piece of advice. It might not even be useful halfway through the course. You might only start to do this towards the end of your busiest (or most teaching responsibility) placement. But this is the time in your teaching life where it is easiest to experiment. Try new things. If it goes wrong… you are a student-teacher and that’s fine. If it goes right you know you can use it later on in your career AND it makes you look great. If it was boring, reflect on that. If it wasn’t focussed enough, your next lesson can fill that gap. You have the freedom to build on your own skills and to try new things – your mentor will support you through this (and so, believe it or not, will the kids). Anything that gets the kids out of their seats they’ll be thankful for, even if it’s just for 30 seconds whilst they sing times-table chants.

4. Remember why you’re on the course

You’re not on the course because you were bored at home and fancied getting a little bit more student debt. You’re also not on the course because you’re the wrong person for the job – a teaching qualification interview is known to be one of the toughest ones to get through – you’ve been scrutinised heavily and you are good enough. You’re on this course because, hopefully, you love children. You love their enthusiasm, willingness to learn and you see endless potential in even the most difficult to get along with (also, if you can’t relate to something I just said there, I’d seriously reconsider your options). When your day hasn’t gone well and that Maths lesson just didn’t quite hit the learning objective. Or, maybe, the behaviour wasn’t great and you lost your rag a little. Perhaps you’re dwelling on the development points of that lesson objective or you didn’t manage to chat to anyone at lunch because you were catching up on marking (easy to do this, by the way, but take steps to avoid, for your own sake). Any or all of these lead to me sitting in my car as I pulled onto the drive, staring at the dashboard, reflecting on maybe I’m not made for this.

Trust me, you would not be reflecting so much and caring so much about the children if you weren’t made for this.

Bad days happen in any job and teachers are the best at 1) taking everything to heart and 2) being negative about their own practice. Pick yourself up, enjoy your evening/weekend and focus on the next day. It’ll be totally different.

5. Don’t take everything at face value but also take things in your stride

Your children will walk into class one day calm, ready and prepared to learn for the day and eager to find out what’s on the timetable. Another day a few kids will be shattered after not sleeping properly, one has had a fall out with little brother and has therefore got an attitude and another will be feeling poorly. Take it in your stride. Deal with things as they come and remember to not take things personally. A child with their head down on the table when you’re delivering input isn’t always disrespect – they could’ve missed breakfast and now their energy is completely sapped. A child snapping back at you isn’t necessarily them being rude – there’s every chance Mum and Dad fell out earlier and has caused their morning to be a living hell. Having said that, if a child is like that, it’s most definitely not you. If you are a fair, calm, friendly person, children will want you to be their teacher and you are not the reason for their bad mood.

Good luck. You’ve got this!