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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Stressed about Tuesday already!

66 replies

GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 18:02

I'm really stressed / worried / anxious about going back on Tuesday. I can't even think straight. It's like I lose all function of my brain properly to do things.
I am leaving at the end of the year but I need to get through till then.

What do you do to calm you down?

OP posts:
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 15/04/2017 18:03

I used to HATE going back after holidays, it's like the worst feeling ever Flowers

Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 18:07

Are you still in teaching?

OP posts:
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 15/04/2017 18:08

Not at the moment, as I have two tiny children, so I hope you don't mind the reply but I just sympathised so much with you. I used to get dirrorea (so) and stomach cramps, the worry was so severe.

Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 18:29

Thanks for sympathising!
I'm leaving teaching. I love teaching, the children, it's just management and the education system which is not for me.

OP posts:
70ontheinside · 15/04/2017 19:14

No words of wisdom. I'm dreading it, too.
I have applied for another job during the holidays and need to tell them. That's not going to go down well Confused

Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 19:23

70 how come you've applied for another job?

OP posts:
LockedOutOfMN · 15/04/2017 19:26

Sounds trite but maybe set yourself up some little treats for each evening next week and also have some nice stuff to take into work: new coffee cup, new notepad, etc. At least organising it will take your mind off of actual work for a while!

70ontheinside · 15/04/2017 19:46

I like teaching and I know it can be different, so I need to leave my current school. Not quite ready to quit teaching altogether!

LindyHemming · 15/04/2017 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MagicalMrsMistoffelees · 15/04/2017 20:36

Can't wait for last day of summer term!!

This year has really opened my eyes to all the ridiculous flaws in the education system which I have no power to change. The ridiculous constraints and box-ticking and paperwork for the sake of a potential visit from ofsted with no benefit for the children.

It's all so needlessly complicated and could be simplified by anyone with a moderate amount of organisational skills. Every school is reinventing the wheel constantly. The number of wasted man hours must be staggering.

I love the children and teaching but had enough! What to do instead though?

BoysaDearyMe · 15/04/2017 22:47

Serious question - for those who are going to/plan to leave teaching what do you plan to do job wise and will you receive a similar salary level (and how will you cope with having to stretch 20-30 days annual leave over an entire year)?

Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 22:54

*euphemiaStargood luck!

OP posts:
Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 23:00

I'm luckily only 4 years into teaching so my salary is actually comparable to starting level of other graduate type jobs (around 35k) so I'm going to move over to something in the private sector (not education) and save up then I'm hoping to train to become an educational psychologist

OP posts:
Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 23:01

Magical I spend my time trawling those threads on TES that day, what to do after teaching...

OP posts:
DalaHorse · 15/04/2017 23:14

Popping in to say you teachers are amazing. I'm happy with the ones who do a good job of getting information into my childrens' heads, but the ones who make them happy whilst they are doing it are all stars in my eyes! Smile It's a tough job and even as a non-teacher I know that a lot of the holidays and after school times are spent preparing and marking and thinking about child x or y and how to get the best out of them. And red tape and internal politics.

NoMudNoLotus · 15/04/2017 23:43

I'm not a teacher but I am nurse, and I'm very anxious about going back next week.

I lay in bed every night with physical signs of anxiety 😞.

It was so stressful 2 weeks ago that the consultant & I both had a tear in the mgt office during our shift because we were so stressed , felt so helpless, understaffed , under resourced , unsupported and felt that the ward was so unsafe for patients and staff .

Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 23:52

Thank you Darla

OP posts:
Original poster
GreyVelvet · 15/04/2017 23:52

Dala

No mud* I'm sorry you're feeling that way. Is there any support elsewhere in the team or is the whole system just overstretched?

OP posts:
thebluedragon · 16/04/2017 09:39

Hi Grey,

I'm in a similar situation to you except I am going to a new school next year which I hope I will enjoy more.

Last term, I allocated Wedneday night to be my night. I wouldn't do any work on that one evening and would make sure I went out somewhere (cinema, bowling, restaurant etc) with my husband or friends. That really helped. It was stressful, at first, because I felt I should be spending my evening working (like every other evening) but nothing fell apart and no one died surprisingly!

CarrieBlue · 16/04/2017 11:24

Boysadearyme - I hope that's not a dig? I would 'cope' extremely well with 20-30 days holiday because in a 'real' job I wouldn't be so utterly exhausted after working 60+ hours a week, working through what are referred to as holidays/weekends, and I wouldn't have to put up with being constantly undermined by students/parents/management/government/media/random folk on the internet.

PumpkinPie2016 · 16/04/2017 11:27

I'm not looking forward to it either - not to the same extent as you but still not great.

I quite like my school and love the actual teaching but the department is a mess at the moment with lots of people off long term/no consistent supply/at least 3 more leaving at the end of the year so not the easiest of places at times!

I'll be ok once I get back on The but I've had such a lovely break with DH and DS and seeing family/relaxing and I don't want it to and Sad

BoysaDearyMe · 16/04/2017 11:38

Carrieblue - not a dig, I did say it was a genuine question.
I think you'd find though that in very many jobs staff are putting in similar hours - hence my question as to what teachers would do instead?
Also, which graduate jobs have a starting sales of £35k - can't think there's very many of those. Official statistics on annual earnings state otherwise.

CarrieBlue · 16/04/2017 11:43

Teaching doesn't have a starting salary of £35k either. There is something all encompassing about teaching that is different from other jobs though - maybe the health service is similar, but still doesn't have the same public disdain that teaching has which adds to the stress of it all. I doubt that teachers have as much as 30 days proper holiday now so like I said, it would be fine to cope with.

leccybill · 16/04/2017 11:44

I don't think regular graduate office workers are putting in 60+ hr weeks every week.

Teaching is intolerable at the moment.

BoysaDearyMe · 16/04/2017 12:02

Leccybill - I think you'll find that very many graduate office workers are expected to put in 60+ hours, for much less money. For example, recently qualified accountants and solicitors. I know several people who were expected to work 60+ hours for less than £15k when starting out.
The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Also, note the comments above from a nurse re her same sense of dread about returning to work after leave. Nurses earn considerably less than teachers, for more hours per annum, with shift work and considerably less annual leave.