Uncertain if this is the career for me

dinner's ready!

Hi,
I'm in my first year of college, doing primary school teaching. The past few weeks though I've been wondering whether this job is really for me.
I just find the thought of teaching practice so daunting and the workload seems to be HUGE, it's just kind of overwhelming me.
I'm just wondering is it normal to feel like this, or to be a successful teacher is it something you really have to be definite of and confident in your choice?
Teaching has always been a career I had thought about, but throughtout 5th and 6th year I had kept changing my mind between teaching or something in the medical field... I just want to know as a current or student teacher have you ever had doubts like this or what is your opinion on it all???

Thanks

KateF

Hi,
I'm a student primary teacher too, although I'm on the postgrad course. I'm just about to go on my 2nd placement on Monday. And it is normal to extremely overwhelmed and personally, I don't believe anyone that says they don't, even a bit! I get very nervous when I'm doing something new, or when you know there's peers, teachers or tutors watching, but thats part of the parcel. You just have to think, is it getting easier...did you find it more managable towards the end of your placement? Do you think you'd feel better going in to that placement agai or do you feel you didn't learn much at all? For me, the teaching placement part is so so daunting, because you're teaching a class you don't know, they are used to another teacher, and I always worry that I'm not doing things the way that teacher would have wanted me too. But I know that in the end it will all have been worth it. I know I will love it as a career. And dropping out would never be an option for me. I would say to you think long and hard about it, and don't make an rash decisions, i mean, its only your first placement. Talk to your tutor and ask them how you can address anything issues you're finding particularly daunting.

dinner's ready!

KateF wrote: »

I know I will love it as a career.

see that's the thing, I'm not certain that I will love it as a career, and I think teaching is a bit like nursing in that you really have to love what you're doing....
I know that no one else can make the decision for me but I'm just so confused!

SwirlsAllAround

It's still really early days....just sit tight til Christmas and see how you feel then.

From a practical point of view if you want to leave the course there is a date in January by which you need to do so to get half of your fees paid by the government if you decide to do another course next year. At least I think it's January... your college will know if you ask.

As for knowing if the career is for you, a few days subbing and/or teaching practice will help. Even then, you'll probably never be 100% certain it's for you.

I was only about 60% certain when I applied for the postgrad course, even after lots of subbing. That was a big risk to take but it worked out for me, I'm really happy I did it.

As KateF suggested, talk to your tutor, they'll have helped lots of people in your position already.

nubineeprincess

hey

ive just started first year now in pats.im not sure which college you're in but judging by pats i know how you feel!!!
there is a lot of work to be done!!but dont be worried....just try to keep on top of it....thats all i can say..i was in college before this and i get how much you would like to just chill at end of day...but now in pats i know its a matter of gettin ur head down...but enjoyin it too!!!
i work every evening so if ur not working then be thankful for that too:D:D:D
i would say obviously have a good think about it but dont let the amount of work deter you..my sister graduated pats a few years ago and she said to me that it is a lot of work but it will be ok and that not to worry about tp as they prepare you lots for it(as i was freakin out a lil too to be honest)-think of the hundreds that have gone before us!:)
all i can say is relax and dont be too hasty!!i feel under pressure at times but then i think how short three years really is...like its goin to be xmas before we know it!!:D:D
hope you come to a decision that your happy with anyway!!:):D:)

KateF

nubineeprincess wrote: »

hey

ive just started first year now in pats.im not sure which college you're in but judging by pats i know how you feel!!!
there is a lot of work to be done!!but dont be worried....just try to keep on top of it....thats all i can say..i was in college before this and i get how much you would like to just chill at end of day...but now in pats i know its a matter of gettin ur head down...but enjoyin it too!!!
i work every evening so if ur not working then be thankful for that too:D:D:D
i would say obviously have a good think about it but dont let the amount of work deter you..my sister graduated pats a few years ago and she said to me that it is a lot of work but it will be ok and that not to worry about tp as they prepare you lots for it(as i was freakin out a lil too to be honest)-think of the hundreds that have gone before us!:)
all i can say is relax and dont be too hasty!!i feel under pressure at times but then i think how short three years really is...like its goin to be xmas before we know it!!:D:D
hope you come to a decision that your happy with anyway!!:):D:)

I whole heartedly agree with nubineeprincess, its a lot of work and sometimes you stop and think just how much work it is and you want to cry! Just think how us postgrads feel...everything you are doing in 3 years, we've to do in 9 months (well in Scotland its 9 months).
Stick with it, it will get easier