Help! NQT wanting to quit.

[Rollopollo]

Just that really. I have come home tonight, cried, and wondered why the hell I am putting myself through this. I've gone back in after the October holidays, and already feeling exhausted after two days. A million things to do and no idea how to do them, and I just can't get on top of my classroom management.

I just keep thinking I'm prob going to fail in December anyway, and even if I do pass, the chances of finding a job next year are so slim. What is the point? I'm doing a shit job in school, and at home, miserable and unfocused, feeling sick and struggling to sleep.

What will happen if I hand my notice in tomorrow? The thought of having to work a notice period makes me cry.

But there is also the stress of finding a new job to too this all off.

What evidence do you have you are going to fail? What does your mentor say? What is in the minutes of your meetings? They can't just fail you - there needs to be evidence of what has been put in place to support you.

It's really, really, really tough in your first term, especially as the nights draw in. But hang on in there - it will get better, just not straight away. What one small thing can you pick to work on, for example with classroom management? A series of micro-changes will add up over time but be far more manageable than trying to make big changes.

First off, you can't fail the first term. You can be deemed as not on track to meet the standards - but they then have to put a support plan in place for you.

If you really feel that you need to give notice, you have until October 31st to give notice to leave at Christmas. You should then have a complete term one form - what you choose to do with it is up to you.

I remember feeling this way all too well, OP. First off, don't make any snap decisions. Secondly, share how you're feeling with your mentor - assuming you have a good relationship with them?

Which areas are you finding particularly hard? Perhaps some of the others in this staff room (and your actual staff room at school) can help?

If it helps in any way, I've never cried more than during my PGCE and NQT years. Now in my fourth year and the tears are far, far less frequent.

Can you talk to your mentor tomorrow? You shouldn't be feeling like this, and you should be offered support.

If you are genuinely not on track to pass, the school should be trying to work with you to help you improve. But it may be that you are doing better than you think?