Don’t read negative ex-teacher articles.
I've just read an article written by an NQT who left teaching after the first term; they blamed it on the school, the students, their lack of support, their workload and overall seemed quite bitter as they listed suggestions for the school to improve and justified why they were leaving but never mentioned what they did to help themselves...
It's articles like this that worry trainees. I remember reading loads before my course started and dreaded the year to come. "Hardest year of my life" rang through my mind daily. The reality was that, yes I did have some hard experiences but that's because I was a) learning a new career on the job and b) I had the 'support' and challenge from over 150 students. It's a no-brainer, it's obviously going to be hard.
I've also just finished my first term as an NQT. I've had 1 or 2 late nights and turned down social events once or twice, but that's too be expected. Going out on a Sunday night when you have no lessons planned for Monday is not a work-life balance, it's lack of professionalism.
So, here's my realistic advice for all NQTs and trainees: 1) The year is what you make it. 2) Standard 8 encourages you to "seek specialist advice". 3) Other teachers have a whole timetable of things to do. Their responsibility to you is minimal and they will not chase you. Want help? Ask. 4) Read - Twitter has loads of teachers sharing ideas and blogs and Amazon sell a great range of "100 ideas for teachers" books which includes "outstanding lessons", "differentiation" "G&T" etc.
