Eyfs degree, want to leave teaching ... NQT

[Chippychips246]

I've started my NQT year in reception. I have an early years degree but I'm realising that teaching might not be a suitable career for me. I'm working 7am-6pm in school every day, and then working into the night at home, too.
I'm planning to try and get through my NQT year, but I don't want to live a life dominated by a constant anxiety that I'm not doing enough even in my 'free time'. So, if things don't start looking up, I want out after this year.

I'm so gutted even typing this, I feel like a total failure and my family will be so disappointed, but I'm worried the longer I stick at it the more trapped I will find myself with money and career options.

So my question to you, what other jobs could I apply for with a similar starting salary to nqt (22k+)?
I don't want anything education/childcare based, if I'm not teaching then I want to leave the sector completely.

Thanks.

NQT year is hideous! Please don't base your decision to leave teaching on it. It does get easier, although the hours will probably be quite long for a few more years.

I've been teaching for 21 years (currently in Reception) and now work 8.10am to 5.30ish at school, plus an hour or so at home on 3 evenings a week and about 3 hours on Sundays.

NQT year is not representative of how it is when you get your pass plates.
Keep going, I promise it will get easier. Just give it 3 years and then decide.
Stop being a perfectionist too! God enough is good enough!
A well slept teacher is better than a teacher with loads of pretty laminated stuff and script-like planning.

NQT year is hideous!

I’ve said this before but I found the year after NQT even worse as the support goes, then responsibility and contact time increase massively .

If I could advise myself as a younger person, I’d tell them to run very far from teaching and don’t look back.

I’ve said this before but I found the year after NQT even worse as the support goes, then responsibility and contact time increase massively blush.

I agree with this!
OP are you teaching an 80% timetable (10% ppa and 10% nqt time?
What exactly is taking up all your time? Planning? Assessment? Resources?
TBH before leaving the profession completely try a new school!

Please don't give up - not yet. Get your NQT year down and look to move schools if you want and then do NQT +1. Get a big calendar wall chart and tick off each day. NQT year is awful for most people. All I did was work and sleep and I think that is pretty normal but you'll be done by July and will have such a sense of achievement. Is there a seniorish teacher that you can just tell how you are spending your time and can help you make it better? I was planning lessons and spending ages on resources that were used for about 10 minutes because I wanted them to be beautiful. There is a place for this, but not if you"re up all night. Good luck

Speak to your NQT mentor about this. Are they experienced? Do they appear to have a good work/life balance? Talk them through what you are doing each day and see if they can advise you what to strip away.

I am a secondary NQT, i'm doing 7.30- 5, sometimes 6 and not much else, aside from reading up on subject knowledge which I don't mind.