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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

Start of term hitters are setting in!

33 replies

PumpkinPie2016 · 31/08/2018 11:04

Had my first school dream last night - you know, where you dream that your classes arrive but you haven't planned anything and they are really badly behaved?!

I'm really happy at my school so there is no reason for feeling nervous but I am Sad

Classroom is sorted and lessons are planned, practicals ordered (I teach science) so I am good to go. However, I still feel irrationally jittery - like I have forgotton everything or will somehow be 'found out' that I am actually no good at my job Confused

I'm being ridiculous but I get the hitters every year! At least Mon is an INSET day!

Having a family gathering in Sun afternoon so at least my Sunday will be nice and I know I will be totally fine once I am back on Monday Grin

Is anyone else having start of term nerves?

OP posts:
Original poster
PumpkinPie2016 · 31/08/2018 11:07

Aargh! Title should say jitters not hitters!

OP posts:
colditz · 31/08/2018 11:08

Pumpkin

I'm returning to work after 7 years of being a full time unpaid carer.

I'm starting in a secondary school classroom.

I have never worked in a school before

I'm starting as a teaching assistant

i have been having those dreams since July and I am borderline having a nervous breakdown now.

Haggisfish · 31/08/2018 11:09

God yes. I’ve been teaching for 14 years and still get the hitters!😂

Original poster
PumpkinPie2016 · 31/08/2018 12:48

colditz congratulations on your new job! Go you! Although the dreams are less good!

Haggis this is my fifth year but I was hoping the jitters would calm down eventually! Your post doesn't give me hope Grin

OP posts:
Handbaghag · 31/08/2018 12:54

Jitters are normal. Summer is a lovely time, Autumn is always a bugger and there are so many unknowns before you go back.. Class lists particularly, new kids etc. You'll feel better after the inset day and like you've never been away.
Here speaks 22 years science teaching. Left it a year ago and still get teaching nightmares 🙄

BobbinThreadbare123 · 31/08/2018 12:57

I stopped teaching and went back to industry over 2 years ago and still had a teaching nightmare last night! I've been left with a sense of unpreparedness today...

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/08/2018 13:04

This is the first summer holiday that I've had nightmares throughout the holiday, and not just in the last few days.

H00T3R · 31/08/2018 14:51

Have you had that teacher dream yet? That one where you're in the classroom, in front of all the students and being totally unprepared? Or where you look down and realise you have no shoes on? I always get them in the few days leading up to the start of term Grin

H00T3R · 31/08/2018 14:53

Oh bugger I somehow misread your op as missed out your 1st paragraph. Sorry Blush

juliej00ls · 31/08/2018 18:02

Starting in a new school with a position of responsibility...... feeling nervous

ScarlettDarling · 31/08/2018 18:05

Yep, 22 years teaching and still get the hitters! I'm moving into reception this term though and that's enough to get anyone hittering!! Wink

Good luck for next week everyone.

Original poster
PumpkinPie2016 · 31/08/2018 18:29

Gosh even worse for those of you no longer teaching who still get the dreams and jitters!

I am trying to enjoy the last weekend off! Sure it will be fine once I get going.

Good luck everybody!

OP posts:
Handbaghag · 31/08/2018 18:48

Remember, you are competent at what you do, you know your stuff and even if you have stuff you don't know, you have an intelligent brain that knows how to plan to find out. Big love to the teaching massive. Y'all deserve a medal 🏅

Caaarrrl · 31/08/2018 18:54

It's not just at the start of term that I believe everyone will figure out that I really am no good at my job! I constantly feel that I am an imposter just pretending to teach!

Knittedfairies · 31/08/2018 19:29

I retired years ago, but I still get these dreams occasionally! The relief when I wake up....

percypig · 31/08/2018 19:33

18 years teaching and I still get the back to school nerves on the first proper day, though for me the sleepless nights come before A Level and GCSE results days!

I’m super prepared this year, have a timetable of lovely classes and stuff I enjoy teaching, but I did virtually no work over the summer (am HoD) and feel like I have a very full to do list, even after 5 staff only/just 6th form days.

RebelRogue · 31/08/2018 19:50

TA here. Been freaking out all month. Too many unknowns and the things I do know I wish I didn't.
Bring on half term.Grin

cloudyweewee · 31/08/2018 21:40

This will be my 30th year of teaching. I think that when you no longer get the jitters or have school dreams, it's time to quit!

JimmyGrimble · 01/09/2018 13:46

Your teacher dreams are quite tame! Mine is always the same ... wake up late, rush to school, sign in, look down and i'm naked from the waist down. However much I try I can't pull my top down enough to cover my nether regions. I have had this dream regularly for the last 20 years.
Says something about modern teaching and the arse covering required I think!

5000KallaxHoles · 01/09/2018 17:07

I'm going back on supply after 7 years out of the classroom - I've been having the school dreams for a good month now!

cantthinkofanythingwitty · 01/09/2018 18:42

NQT here, totally jittery for Tuesday

Original poster
PumpkinPie2016 · 01/09/2018 19:11

jimmy Shock

Good luck with NQT year cat - I remember it well!

I've had a nice day today and tomorrow have family coming round in the afternoon so at least that will be nice.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 01/09/2018 19:15

I stopped working in schools 15 years ago and still have those bloody dreams. Or the ones where I'm meant to be sitting gcse in subjects I already have a levels in! Bloody ludicrous!

MaryH90 · 01/09/2018 19:19

Starting 6th year of teaching, new year group, new team to lead, feeling a little bit clueless! Reassuring myself that it’s always better than I thought it would be when I’m actually back.

SagelyNodding · 01/09/2018 19:24

Can I join you jitterers? 1st year in a new school as a sort of NQT in a foreign country... I'm so scared! I met the staff and visited the school yesterday and it's gorgeous compared to my old school! Everyone is lovely, but for some reason my impostor syndrome has kicked in and I'm convinced I'm going to be found out as a fraud! I have my first class on Monday... I'll feel better once the 1st week is over I hope...