NQT year - done...

...and what a year it's been!



Last summer, I accepted my first teaching role in an Early Years classroom - a year group I had never taught and one that, hopefully, I am now never going to leave.

The pressure as an NQT can be slightly overwhelming, particularly at the beginning. Glossing over social media posts, wondering what you should be planning and updating for the new year and being completely oblivious to what lies ahead. It is scary. Even as I write this now, during the first week of the holidays, I'm already wondering exactly what I should be doing in order to be the most prepared for the upcoming academic year.

If you have just accepted your first role, these are my top tips for you:

• Get to know the curriculum for your year group. I updated myself on the EYFS curriculum last year and although this CPD was ongoing for most of the year, it set me with expectations and ideas for baseline assessments, topics and classroom areas.
• Get the basics sorted first. The first thing I did was set up class lists, printed name tags for drawers and pegs and thought carefully about my classroom set-up (which changed at least every half-term!). Everything else waited and this was fine.
• Don't worry about getting into your classroom! Although I went in for 2 days last year and will probably be going in this year, it's not the end of the world if you don't. Last year, I got my displays backed and re-arranged the classroom but during your first couple of weeks, you will find your feet and find what works best for you anyway!
• Try to relax and do something you enjoy. I often find myself lost in the holidays with everyone else at work and only school work to think about. Luckily, I'm going away for 2 weeks (woo hoo!) but I will definitely make sure to get some Netflix in, read books I've been meaning to read all year and catch up with friends.

I have also learnt that it's completely okay to just do what works best for you and your class. Use resources you find online if they work and are relevant, drop a lesson if it's really not working and ask the children for their ideas.

My NQT year has been a rollercoaster of emotions but incredibly rewarding. Realising that you finally have your own class, planning lessons and topics that you enjoy and watching your class make progress is completely worth all of the hard work that comes with it.

My birthday in pictures

Top 5 lifestyle tips

After a busy few weeks house-sitting and beginning my second year of uni, I wanted to share some simple tips that once you have grasped, become second nature. They're not bold, confusing or time-wasting, just very simple but extremely effective...

1. Find the right skincare

For the last two years, my skin has been awful. Not necessarily on my face or hands, but on my legs. I developed eczema, causing itching, bleeding and scarring - and no skincare cream or moisturiser seemed to help. I recently found out about Aveeno, and their moisturising cream has been my saviour. It may not work wonders on everyone, but my legs have cleared up, smoothed and cause no irritation. It's most definitely the best cream I have ever bought.

2. Drink more water

I always thought that I drank enough water, 4 or 5 glasses a day. Until dehydration became a huge problem for me, resulting in painful migraines and poor skin. Force yourself to drink as much water as you can everyday and you'll find that not only do you snack less, but your skin will begin to glow and plump.

3. Talk to people

As much as it may seem scary and daunting at first, speak to as many people as you can. Your hairdresser, friends of friends, strangers, people in your chosen career field. I recently created a LinkedIn account, where I have spoken to many people in journalism and teaching, and found that they may put you into contact for a job, work experience or just simply give you advice on your careers and ambitions. Talk to people - you might never know where it gets you.

4. Keep organised

My final year of uni is mad already. Being thrown into searching for work experience, thinking of ideas for a dissertation and constantly being told of expectations is a pretty daunting scenario (after 4 months off!), so keeping organised is my main focus. Writing everything down, taking as much from every lecture as possible and finding a way to manage my time has been tricky - but once you know what you're doing and when you have time to do it, it makes it seem that little bit easier.

5. Think positively

Exams, dissertations, assignments, work - the list could go on. It all seems so scary, especially when you want to do as well as you can. The main thing you can do is to think positively, believe in yourself and aim high. And if it's all getting too much, remove yourself and come back to it after a couple of hours. Go and watch bake-off and order a takeaway...