So sad tomorrow is Monday

[geeinitpal]

I'm a social work student and have had two weeks off my placement for Easter. It's honestly been bliss, have spent some much needed quality time with my daughter and dogs, relaxed, read, went long walks, just really haven't had to worry about anything and it's been lovely.

Woke up this morning with such a knot in my stomach the thought of tomorrow being Monday!

Since January my life has been hectic, placement full time, working part time, single mum to my daughter, two dogs, uni work, trying to keep on top of the house etc. it's been intense and I've just loved this two weeks.

I have 8 more weeks on placement to go and then I am off for 8 weeks for summer so I know I have that to look forward to and am lucky but the thought of back to reality for another 8 weeks is soul destroying.

Anyone else got the Sunday blues?

its not good news if you already feel like this so early in your career

I'd agree with this. You really shouldn't have this much dread at this stage. Are you sure this is the career for you?

You obviously missed the part where I said it was the hecticness of life I wasn't looking forward to. I love social work, but uni on top of that as well as working part time is very draining. Nothing to do with my job in particular.

Anyone else got the Sunday blues?

Yes, there's another thread on it.

Just focus on the long Summer holiday you've got coming up.

Yes thanks. Once I'm qualified I will be able to concentrate on social work rather than having to juggle so many different balls. I hate how people try to analyse you on Mumsnet, really annoying.

Life isnt going to get any less hectic though, is it?

@Nimbostratus100 when you remove university work, weekly supervision meetings with practice teacher, and a part time job? Of course it'll be less hectic!

Can you link this please? I'll move over to there thanks!

Yes, I have the Monday blues too, OP. Back to school tomorrow (secondary) after a lovely two weeks off. Some of the kids are so challenging that I am taking some deep breaths! But I'll be fine once tomorrow is done. I always struggle a bit initially with the holiday - back to school transition.

Here we go.

The Sunday blues are horrible but you're not alone OP.

Aww good luck! Yeah I'm the same, I reckon I'll be totally fine and in to the swing of things again in a few days but it's just the thought. I feel like it was yesterday I was just finishing up.

Yep... Back to school tomorrow for me as well. I love my job and looking forward to seeing the kids at work but the hecticness of juggling work with my own two kids plus keeping the house in some kind of order... I also have the dread! Hope your 8 weeks flies by smoothly OP. I always think this last term feels easier though, better weather, longer light etc. Good luck!

Oh the Sunday blues.... they really punch you in the gut am I right? Take a deep breath and try your best to focus on today.
You have alot on your plate, but with careful planning, manageable to do lists and down time for yourself to enjoy your hobbies and quality time with your daughter, the summer holidays will be here before you know it! Xxxx

Why do a job you hate?

I can count on one hand the number of days I haven’t wanted to go to work in the last decade. I’m pumped about going in tomorrow, seeing how much I can achieve this week. And I don’t particularly love my job! I’m just one of those sad people that loves to push themselves I guess. I’ve taken 5 days A/L post Christmas. I carried 6 over from last year!

As a CP SW who qualified as a single parent, unfortunately life got more hectic. I'm a practice educator as well and deputy manager. As a student the responsibility doesn't stop with you and your cases aren't high risk. You're not out late doing removals or safety plans, you're not stuck in court waiting for a judgement, and you're not trying to spin placement breakdowns, injuries, or dv incidents.
Your part time job ending will be great and will give you much more time. Unfortunately you've picked a career where we are always hectic, time poor, and working down to the wire. Your uni essays will be replaced by a million statements, reports, assessments, panels. It's going to be easier when you can focus on the job....but the job is much much more than 9 to 5 after you qualify. My ASYEs often find the transition to full social worker responsibility quite overwhelming. But it's much much more rewarding.
What sort of team are you in now and where do you plan to work after qualifying? Keep pushing through placement, it's the best time to just absorb

We've all got the Sunday blues here!
I'm trying to be cheerful and enjoy the day. We've been out already and got some nice food and dessert in for an early dinner tonight.
I'm also trying to reframe things and be thankful for all I have and what I can look forward to this week. Sounds twee but it really helps.
As well as the summer, we have every weekend so I'm trying to get organised as much as I can as that frees up time later.

I worry you may be in for a shock if you get a job in front line social work. In your ASYE you'll have weekly supervision initially, a portfolio of work to complete, cases to juggle alongside everything else that is work/training, which sadly will never be 9-5. I've worked in a CP team for 12 years and the work / life balance gets worse the longer you are in it. The sunday blues will become more frequent as you progress unless you're really strict with boundaries. Good luck, the job sucks the life out of you but is also an amazing career if you can get the balance right.

Blimey my sister is a children’s social worker. The bit you’re doing now is the easy part!

You have 8 weeks off for summer but find waiting 8 weeks for that to come round is sour destroying? Unfortunately as pp has said, you are in for a shock if you get a job as a front line social worker or any job for that matter. You will not be getting 8 weeks off for summer. Unless you get a job in a school working term time only, you will not be allowed the luxury of 8 weeks off in the summer. Most people only get just over 5 weeks holidays a year!

If it’s any consolation op, almost everyone gets those Sunday blues and knot in their stomach. Nobody likes going to work. You will get used to it, just it takes time.

I have Monday as my day off to stop this. All these bank holidays though! Ruining my time alone!

It’ll be more hectic when you don’t have uni holidays off. You’ve had two weeks off and are looking forward to 8 weeks in the summer (in about 10 weeks time?). You’ll never have that sort of timetable when you’re working full time.

Sunday afternoon: the dark teatime of the soul.

I get it OP. I run my full time business and I'm 2 years into a 4 year HCP degree. I love doing both, but I'm knackered and it's ok to feel like this.

Once I'm qualified I won't have lectures, clinical hours and study to contend with so my life will be way less hectic. Doesn't help I have exams every 6 months and I've got to get through those before my summer break.

I started a new job term time only in a school recently, working 40 hours a week after being part time for years. It's been exhausting learning all the new stuff (with no handover), and learning how to fit everything in around work. We also have a lot of building work going on ... Although I am beginning to enjoy the job, I still am a bit 😩 about tomorrow!

I'm in a criminal justice placement just now and justice is where I hope to work when qualified. Certainly won't be working in children and families. It's not that deep guys, I am enjoying my placement and the work and I know it's a highly stressful career. I'm just feeling a bit blah today about returning to the hecticness of life where I barely have time to eat after such a lovely time off.

I am well aware I will never get eight weeks off again until retirement. So trust me I'll be making the most of this final summer.