PGCE Survival Tips

Many people say their PGCE year was the hardest of their lives. While it certainly isn’t easy, and you will face many challenges and tough moments, reaching the end makes it all worthwhile. Looking back on my experience, I’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help make the process smoother and get you through the year! 

First Impressions 

"Don’t smile until December." You may hear this from multiple people during your training year. MYTH. What this essentially means is that you should be firm and militant with the students until the end of the first term so they don’t try to walk over you because you are ‘new.’ I personally do not agree with it. As a teacher, you should be able to be yourself instead of putting on a drama show as a character you are not. What happens when you accidentally break out of that character? My advice would be to make your expectations crystal clear and realistic, and just remain consistent with them. Share a laugh with the kids here and there; it’s perfectly fine. Don’t feel as though teachers are robots. 

Taking Criticism 

A lot of stress and demotivation comes from the inability to take criticism objectively. The truth is that you will almost definitely make mistakes, some worse or bigger than others. How will you improve and become a better teacher without these mistakes happening in the first place? The feedback that you are bound to receive is not personal. The whole idea of why we get trained to become teachers is because we’re not yet equipped with the skills to be a teacher. When it comes to feedback, you may have a mentor who is brutally honest with you and doesn’t sugar-coat things. Learn to take it on the chin; they’re criticising your teaching, not you. Your teaching will improve as a result. Ultimately, we want to become better teachers by the day, and this only happens by making mistakes and learning from them. 

Admin 

Prepare yourself for this journey. Yes, you will have assignments, paperwork, lesson planning—all happening at once. Your university or training provider may expect you to write a weekly reflection with your mentor for your portfolio. While doing this, you may also have an assignment due the following week, along with four lesson plans. This is where resilience and time management come into play. Remember that many others on the course will be feeling the same way you are. My biggest takeaway here would be to MAKE FRIENDS. Not friends just for the sake of sharing work and resources, but a genuine group with whom you can spend time to decompress and let off steam. Give advice to each other regarding job applications and reduce the workload by sharing resources. 

Lesson Plans 

During your first few lessons and subsequently afterwards, you may find yourself spending a lot of time trying to make your PowerPoint aesthetically pleasing—fancy animations, fonts, colour schemes, etc. Don’t fall for the trap of thinking, "Because I have a lot of planning time, I can spend longer planning this lesson." This may be fine at the start of your PGCE as you might not feel as confident, but once assignments and admin come into play, consider how much time you should spend on it. Ultimately, as you progress through the course, you will find that planning does get easier. 

What really helped me when planning my lessons was following this structure I created for myself (for reference, I am a Maths teacher). On a blank piece of paper, I would start by writing the class, followed by "Do Now," "Recap," "New Information," "Modelling," "MWB," "Independent Tasks," and "Plenary." Next to each of these, I'd write briefly what students will be doing. Once this list is done, I would start looking around for resources that match each of those learning objectives, ticking them off one by one. Perhaps I will create a separate post on lesson planning! 

Take That Risk 

During your PGCE year, embrace the opportunity to learn and grow. You won't be a perfect teacher by December, and that's completely okay. Use this time to make mistakes and learn from them. With the help of a supportive mentor, you'll be able to navigate challenges and turn setbacks into valuable learning experiences. 

As a teacher, it’s tempting to rely on a single approach that works, but that can make your lessons feel repetitive and unengaging for students. While it might feel safe, sticking to one method won’t help you grow. Try experimenting with new techniques, as no single approach can address all the skills your students need to learn. Remember, this journey is about progress, not perfection. 

Job Applications 

Teachers are in high demand. You might be tempted to start applying for jobs in January or February or even worry that you won’t get a job at all, perhaps due to your subject. Starting applications early is useful; however, it will take up a lot of time, which is very limited during your PGCE. Remember, most vacancies for the following September will start to appear during the summer term, as this is when teachers leaving will formally hand in their notice. So if you are worried about being without a job in February or March, don’t worry—the opportunities will come. You will also have more to write in your personal statement as you’ll be coming to the end of your second placement. 

Don’t Give Up Any Leisure Time 

If you are part of a sports club or have any leisure commitments, don’t give them up for work. Keep yourself fit and healthy during your PGCE. It is perfectly fine to do work during the weekend; however, don’t make it a habit. If you are going to work on the weekend, do it on a Sunday. If you do anything on a Saturday, you’ll find yourself looking over it again on Sunday. Before you know it, you’ll have spent your weekends on school work. 

What Is Your ‘Why’? 

This will be your driving force throughout your PGCE. Whenever you are going through a difficult period, think back to why you’re on this path. As you go through your PGCE, there will be days when you feel exhausted and overwhelmed. In those moments, take a step back and remember why you wanted to become a teacher in the first place. Maybe you want to inspire kids like a teacher once inspired you, or perhaps you’re passionate about a subject or making a difference in your community. Whatever your reason, keep it close to you.

When lesson planning gets tough or classroom management feels impossible, think back to the moments that lit a fire in you for teaching. Was it a time when you helped someone understand something new? Use those memories to keep you going. Remembering your "why" can reignite your enthusiasm and remind you of the impact you’re working towards. Stay connected to what matters most to you, and you’ll find the energy and motivation to push through and enjoy the journey. 

The year is long and full of ups and downs—sometimes more downs than ups—but it's worth persevering and completing. Start your PGCE year with a positive mindset and tackle the challenges as they arise to the best of your ability. Enjoy the experience and remember that it won't last forever; the finish line is visible from the very start, and you can make it. I hope you find this post helpful and consider some of these recommendations.