...but don't panic - here are a few tried and test pointers to help you get through.

DO!

1. Use other peoples ideas – its ok, you will still be original/dynamic and creative one day, I’m sure. BUT, it is the best way to find out how to do things best ‘your way’…one day.

2. Collect resources from you placement schools.

3. Take theory seriously, it WILL make you a better teacher if you understand it and can apply it to what you do.

4. Take notice of how other staff work in your placement school…this is what pupils are used to and emulating this to some degree will help you ‘fit in’. 

5. Do something you think you like least, i.e. get experience working with SEN pupils/be part of a sports club, etc. You will almost definitely be able to draw on that experience in the future.

6. Do what you say you are going to do (regards staff and pupils alike)

7. Go out and drink or at least go out with other people who do drink…sometime in the 10 months.

8. Create resources that will be useful beyond the ONE lesson.

DON’T

1. Take things personally.

2. Stay up all night making resources.

3. Concentrate more on the essay (Med) side of things…that’s not what will get you though a teaching practice.

4. Try to fit too much into a lesson…although you might not know what ‘too much’ is at this stage – I didn’t!

5. Expect lessons to go ‘as planned’ and be disappointed when they don’t (why didn’t it go as planned? Is that even bad?)

6. Go out drinking on a Sunday, or a Saturday for that matter – you WILL regret it, honestly.

7. Make a powerpoint for the sake of a powerpoint.

8. Undervalue the importance of telling pupils what they’re learning and how they will know they’ve learnt. Learning Objectives and Success Criteria are essential and not just for OFSTED.

Bio: I am in my fourth year of teaching. I qualified with a PGCE in Secondary Geography from Newcastle University and taught in a Secondary Comp for my NQT year. I have taught in SEN for 3 years now. Twitter: Rach_leo