Hello, I'm new here. I've been following several threads over the years which I've found to be very helpful in everyday life. So I thought I'd join in and reach out for advice from all you friendly individuals.
So, I start a new job on Thursday, as an assistant SENDCO at a secondary academy school. It's a complete change of career for me after spending 11 years with the same employer in Hospitality.
I'm extremely anxious about my start, I'm so worried I'm going to thrown in the deep end as it's such a drastic change to anything I've done before. Of course, they must have seen something in me to offer me the job. I was thrilled to be invited to interview, let alone offered the job, so I snapped it up. I've taken a slight pay decrease but am looking at the long term gains, and career.
I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice who have worked within a similar role? What can I expect? Will I be properly trained? Shadowed almost? Or will I be expected to get on and learn on the job alone? Any constructive tips would be most welcome!
I suffer terribly from anxiety, and I'm on medication for both anxiety and depression. Change, is a big trigger for me. And making this leap was HUGE for me, I stayed in my previous employment for much longer than I should of through fear of change and being in unfamiliar surroundings. When I was interviewed, everyone I encountered seemed lovely and very welcoming. But frustratingly my anxiety is almost debilitating - I'm inside my own head all day everyday talking myself down.
I am 29 years old, and strangely, was educated at the same school I am now joining as staff !
I have no children as of yet, I recently got married in September and we do plan on starting a family in the near future, but I wanted to do something for myself first.
However, now the reality is very much sinking in and I'm feeling very stressed by the thought of it all.
I really want to succeed and do well.
Also - very odd question. But I am a smoker. I understand I'm about to start a role where it's imperative to be a role model for the students. I am wondering what is the situation in regards to school staff smoking? Are you able to smoke on your break? Or is that out of the question? I'm sure there must be teachers within the school who do smoke; but I don't want to have to ask 
I would like to stop - but one thing at a time for the minute. Now wouldn't be a good time for me to take in that momentous task with so much change already happening in my life.
Please be kind - looking for genuine constructive advice.