That time of year again....start of term jitters!

[PumpkinPie2016]

Every bloody year! Going into my 13th year and still feel jittery as term is approaching 🙄🙄

I am organised(ish) for next week, sorted stuff for my team (I'm a HoD) and made my to do list.

Literally nothing else I can do but I feel quite anxious about the return.

I love teaching and enjoy leading my department, so it's not the job itself. Being honest, my school is fine but I don't feel I fit too well socially. Other staff all seem very friendly with each other, messaging out of school, drinks on a Fri. Obviously, completely fine, but due to living rurally, going out for drinks like that doesn't really work for me. Plus, I try to prioritise my husband and son.

So, all in all, I don't feel I fit too well which doesn't help.

Arrgh, I know I'll be OK once we get going, it's just the anticipation. No doubt the weird back to school dreams will start soon as well 😂😂

In my 13th year too and feel that same, and I'm less ready than you! I know ill feel better once term starts.

Imposter syndrome is kicking in big time. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with 30 small people in my classroom on Monday morning!!

I’ve moved year groups (primary) and this is my 12th year at this school and I feel like a fish out of water! I’ve taught this year group before but the curriculum has changed, and they do way more on laptops. My teaching partner has been brilliant but I’m still needing to finish sorting my room and we have INSET on Monday (kids back Tuesday) 😳

It's good to know I'm not alone (though I am sorry others feel the same!)

I think part of the problem is all the change September brings - new classes/year group, changes to how things are done in school etc. It sort of creates fear of the unknown!

Had an email about form as well- lots changing there so more work/more things for me to worry about haha!

I'm definitely not sleeping well 😕 also think I am grinding my teeth in my sleep as I am getting headaches/aches in my jaw 🙄🙄

I'm off to the hairdressers this morning which is nice. Going to try to have a nice weekend before term begins again. I will be OK once there, as I'm sure we all will, it's just the build up to it!

26th year here-wishing I had chosen a different career, to be honest! Love the children, hate Ofsted, the lack of flexibility, the long days, the pointless paperwork, lack of trust/autonomy and the total absence of SEND resources!

I think it's really normal, isn't it? I was in yesterday and have got my class lists for the year ahead, and I'm starting to invent problems which in reality may not exist.

Once I've actually met my new students, and got going, I'm sure it'll be fine!

I’m sure we’ll all be good once we’ve done the first day/week/timetable run through. You have to laugh though as last night (after an INSET day) I couldn’t get to sleep. Then when I did, I had a dream about a face looking through a window at me (at night) and had that moment in a dream where you think you can’t scream … except I did to the point of waking my husband up 😳😂 …. and we haven’t even had the children in yet!

@Shinyandnew1 you're right about all the other 'stuff' that isn't benefitting the children! My last school were preparing for Ofsted (and in a panic!). I was a HoD and they had us, mock ye not, colour coding our learning journey documents and reformatting our curriculum maps so they all looked the same 🙈
It took bloody ages and added the sum total of zero to teaching and learning 🙄

@Postapocalypticcowgirl definitely normal!

@HappyasLarrynot you are right- once the first few days are done, I always feel totally fine again.

In some ways, it's the INSET days making me nervous because I don't feel I fit too well. So making small talk at break/lunch etc isn't helping. Once the kids are back, it will be fine 🙂

I used to get start-of-September nightmares - and they continued for a few years after stopping working in schools!

How has everyone's first day been?

Mine has actually been OK 🙂 I didn't sleep well last night and felt really nervous this morning but once we got started, it was fine.

All my department is organised for the first few lessons with kids. I feel like I have loads to do now but it will get there.

Another INSET tomorrow and then kids back Wednesday 😁

Hope the day has been smooth for everyone.

I had my first day back today, and it was good to see everyone. I'm lucky to have a lovely department, so it's always nice to catch up on our first day in. I don't have any lessons until Thu so I think I'm still in denial about the term starting, but I'll be panicking by tomorrow night!

Our focus for this year is behaviour which isn't my strong point so either we will have some useful coaching (fingers crossed) or it's going to be a miserable year and I'll constantly feel like I'm not quite up to scratch (more likely). I'm also new to a deputy HOD role, which I'm looking forward to but really nervous too. I'm trying to work on being less hard on myself and remembering I'm actually a good teacher - hope it lasts longer than a week.

@Tailrunner glad your day was good. Deputy HoD role is good - I learnt loads when I did it!

Today was OK, another INSET. Was just a bit meh. My name was spelt incorrectly on a document - it happens a lot which is a tad frustrating. It's not a difficult spelling and it's on my email signature but people just don't double check.

I also had to query something TT wise and the head's email back made me feel like I was wrong to ask 😔 I get that she was probably just rushing but just felt a bit rubbish about it.

Ultimately, I know the above are only niggling because I feel I don't fit in very well. I know I'm a good curriculum leader so I am resolving to just focusing on my department and the kids. Those are the things I'm passionate about and enjoy so if I focus on that, I should feel OK.

Kids are back tomorrow so that will help.