Starting PGCE in Sept - what can I buy now?

WelshWoofer

Hi,
I'm giving up my job and retraining as a secondary science (chemistry)teacher starting in September on a PGCE course.
It's more than 10 years since I completed my PhD and left uni and I'm a bit out of the loop with regards to what I'll need.

I thought it would be a good idea to buy some bits and pieces now while I'm still getting paid and wondered if anyone had any suggestions...

On my list so far...

• New laptop (mine is a work laptop and will have to be given back)
• Calculator (just bought one)
• Printer
• Paper
• Note pads
• Binders etc
• Any text books anyone can recommend
• Some clothes for teaching practice (I have to wear suits to work now)

Anything else?
Doesn't matter how big or small - every little will help in the long run!

CLAPTON

Best to stop spending and save as much as possible and wait until you need things.
calculators, laptops, printer etc will all be cheaper in september anyway (and whats wrong with suits for teaching?

HopeAndDriftWood

A laminator is always suggested to me!

bitsandpieces

I'd only buy from that list as and when you need things (computers, printers etc. will v likely get cheaper as time passes, anyway). Aside from a book or two (which your uni should be able to recommend to you) if you have time now to start course reading? In the meantime, stick any spare cash in a high interest account (or ISA).

You may find that suits are fine (I'm sure my science teacher used to wear a white coat in lab, though I may be showing my age...)

lf846

A laminator is useful but more for making (primary) resources. A laptop is essential (or at least difficult to live without) most schools will have interactive whiteboards so you may need to prepare lessons as well as essays.
I wouldn't bother buying many textbooks, most uni's have a library very well stocked with the recommended text books.
Most secondary schools have quite a strict dress code and most staff I know do wear suits to work so most of your clothes should be useable.
For the rest my advice would be to wait. There is really very little you can do to prepare for the crazy year that lies ahead. It's very easy to get carried away and spend a fortune on books, resources etc. but it doesn't really help in the long term,
good luck with the PGCE!

Oldernotwiser

Stock up on the Valium - you'll need it!

Valli

Buy yourself some time ... get routine jobs and chores done before you start.
Get the freezer stocked up with easy meals eg chilli; bolognaise, soups etc; Have plenty of rice/pasta and dry goods in stock for when you haven't time to shop.
Get your christmas cards written and addressed. Make sure that your life is as organised, streamlined and clutter free as you can make it.
Buy birthday cards you'll need; stock up on stamps ready. Possibly even get those xmas gifts bought.
Buy a diary/filofax (the student year diaries come out in summer) so that you can jot down key dates- teaching practice/exams etc
And just in case of crashes (or worse!) BACK UP your files (I e mail stuff to myself)
HTH

KK22_2

I would definitely NOT buy books yet. Most courses hand out handbooks that give you essential and recommended text books that you must have for the course. Start monitoring the prices of printers, laptops etc and buy when cheap. Stock up on cheap printer paper from Asda, can always be used as scrap paper too.

Get notebooks, highlighters, pens, binders, lever arch files etc in September. Shops usually do better deals then 3 for £2 etc.

Get a diary/planner and keep this with you at all times. Definitely a god send in terms of keeping all your important dates/assignments in one place. A lot of people have a "home" diary and uni diary but if you have both sets of dates in one, it means that you can take events into account when planning out how much time you have to do assignments.

bestpud

Just to add, my SU give away planners and diaries so it may be worth waiting for those...

And you can pick up pens at the various events they hold.

Oldernotwiser

It's too early to do this but don't forget to have a flu vaccination, even if you have to pay for it. Although what happens if swine flu returns with a vengeance, heaven knows!

Callum_

I would second any advice suggesting you get a good diary and start using it. My GF is just finishing her PGCE now and will admit that the hardest thing to come to terms with is the organisation required. Remember you will be working almost full time AND doing studies on top of that. Suits should be fine, in fact most male teachers wear them these days. I wouldn't recommend a printer just because of cost of ink. You will be printing out worksheets and lesson plans all the time and its much better to do this at your placement school or College.