To quit before I've even started?

[ConfusedCherry123]

I have applied to do my PGCE starting in September, but I'm feeling more and more apprehensive about it. I'm just not looking forward to it. Is this a sign it just isn't right for me? Or is this a normal feeling before an intensive year of study?

Are you worried about the year of studying or the job itself?

I think apprehension is very normal.

Email some local schools and see if you can do some volunteering with them this term. See if that leaves you feeling more inspired or flatter.

The job itself. The studying I'm confident I can do, it's the workload, the pressure, the student behaviour. I'm dreading it.

I've worked in education for years so I know what it's like. I think that might be the problem.

Ah fair enough

Sounds like it’s not the job for you then. What made you sign up for it?

Honestly? I thought I'd apply because it's the next obvious "step" in my career. But I just feel so done with teaching, schools, all of it. But I don't know if I am feeling like this because of my apprehension, or, I genuinely don't want to do it. I keep thinking, that maybe once the course starts I'll get into it and enjoy it.

I think the PGCE year is very intense and hard, so I’d think very carefully.

If you're already done with education then get out, don't go further in!!

This

Yah, I think it's not for you. (Ex-teacher here.) You signed up cos you felt you "should." That's never a good reason. Your gut is now telling you something. Listen to it.

Oh god just get out. It’s awful. Under-valued with ridiculous expectations. 28 years experience and tied to the pension now but I wouldn’t let anyone i love go into teaching without a fight.

I lasted all of three years before I left teaching. I developed an autoimmune condition during my PGCE year. Think very carefully about your future.

Thanks everyone for your replies, they're all super helpful. I actually got accepted onto one of the best courses in the UK which is really making me not want to withdraw without good reason. I'm also very aware that I'd be taking on a HUGE amount of debt, which I'm also kind of worried about. Especially if this doesn't turn into a long-term career.

My alternative options at the moment are developing a travel business and tutoring. But teaching feels more like the secure option.

PGCE nearly broke me. If you aren’t committed, I wouldn’t bother.

Nearly broke my dd.
She was doing 70 hour weeks on her TP2 and her "mentor" was quite honestly an evil person, which, sadly, seems fairly common.
I think slt force people to become ITT mentors and it shows.
She should have put a grievance in, but 🤷‍♀️