I contacted my uni regarding some placement worries. Is this response fair

[fluffyslipper1]

I explained a few placement concerns to my tutor and I'm just wondering if her response was helpful or if it's just me overthinking things. I guess at this point I've realised no ones actually there to help per say. I kind of want to reply and be as blunt as she was but I also think it's a waste of my time too. I have anxiety so I already have some mental health stuff going on and I know it plays a part. I thought maybe contacting uni might be good to discuss my thoughts.

I sent an email and this was her response

“To be honest, wait and see for a while as full time in school will bring different experiences. Don't look for the 'self fulfilling prophecy' and look for the positives. Contact
The university Counselling Services if you'd like to discuss matters further. Ask the mentors if and when you'll be having cpd sessions with other trainees in the school.”

Was this a fair or helpful response because I found it a little blunt and unhelpful when I'm quite clearly worried about my MH

Sounds pretty reasonable to me - she hasn’t dismissed your concerns and has signposted your to help. What were you expecting from her?

@toomuchicecream

Sounds pretty reasonable to me - she hasn’t dismissed your concerns and has signposted your to help. What were you expecting from her?

Oh no I'm very anxious in general. So I can easily mis read things or take someone's tone outta context. Thanks anyway

Yep, sounds fine to me.

There are several different issues here:

• whatever you're "waiting and seeing" about
• your mental health (which she's made a suggestion about)
• cpd (ditto)

What specifically do you want??

She has given you sensible advice.

1. wait and see / look for the positives / Ask the mentors if and when you'll be having cpd sessions with other trainees in the school (about your placement)
2. Contact The university Counselling Services (re mental health)

Have you done these things?

What do you think your school or tutor could do to be more helpful?

This is perfectly sound advice, especially when the university have also already advised you to talk to your mentor as well and you've chosen not to do that.

From your multiple threads, you seem to be wanting a placement experience that isn't like typical school life. People are busy and will catch up with colleagues about work things over break/lunch because it needs to be done. They aren't being cliquey. They are doing their jobs.

Some schools have a more social element to them than others when we aren't in the middle of a pandemic where everything has changed, but right now isn't normal times so even the most sociable schools aren't full of staff sitting around having coffee and down time.

The university is right about avoiding the self fulfilling prophecy and signposting you to some counselling support because you seem to be struggling and taking colleagues talking about work as proof they are being cliquey.

I still think it would be good to talk to your mentor about any placement concerns as well as most mentors want to help.

As a context from you, I've been at my current school nearly 7 years (with two maternity leaves) . Honestly, I am so constantly busy it is hugely unusual for me to chat in school time. And tbh I'm there to work. Chat is for my family and friends and the harder I work while I'm there, the more time I get with them.

Honestly, that response looks fine.

Seems like a thorough and useful response. Follow her advice and see how you feel after that.

Response is fine. I'm not sure what you're expecting at the minute though. Most of my conversations in work are about work. More so at the moment (I assume, I'm shielding).
I think you may need to be more clear on what the problem is.

I genuinely might have A non-specific work conversation maybe once a day at most in school.
That would probably be by the photocopier while waiting for the person in front to finish. The conversation would also be at a very shallow level too - so little time, and a public place.

I am so busy at school from the minute I get there. So are all my colleagues. We exchange greetings, we work together, we test ideas on each other, we share work concerns and questions and have a laugh. But it is work-focused.

The response really is fine.

Like others, I think you’re expecting something that just isn’t a reality, especially not at the moment.

You are on placement to learn to teach. Not to make friends. Focus on the teaching.

You have posted so many times about this placement. You’re obviously not happy but what do you actually want? Think about the end game of getting your teaching qualification and getting a job at a different school. That’s all you need from this placement.

What she's saying is if you think it will be shit then it will be...so don't think like that.