In pursuit of Health, Wealth and Happiness

Tete_en_l'Air

Mushed mince - yum! Thanks Beccie

Well isn't it always the way? I've been stuck at work on my own since 3pm and could quite easily have gone home myself but I'm running at 6 and there's no way I'd leave the house again once I got home... So I've been making the most of no-one being able to see what I'm doing and done a bit of internet research on preparing for an ITT year. I realised when I turned the calendar over the other day that September is only five months away :eek:

Subject-wise, I have French and Spanish textbooks from the school to work through, and I plan on watching a load of DVDs and reading books in the languages. Now that I'm doing secondary and will have a bursary, saving isn't such a priority anymore (thank god because that has well and truly stalled), although I would like a couple of grand in the bank to tide me over in case I can't get a job or want a holiday.

I'm also starting to think about preparing my 'life' for what's about to hit it. There are some really useful ideas on the TES forums, such as buying all the birthday cards you'll need between Sept and Christmas so you don't have to rush about for them (I've already got my Christmas cards from the January sales :money:but might have to think about writing them out in August ) I've started a list of 'where I want to be' by the time I start the course - I want to have finally sorted through the mega pile of family photos and put them in albums for example....

What sort of things would you do to prepare if you knew you had a ridiculously stressful PGCE type year ahead of you?

Lara44

Hmmm... I'm *in* a horrible year right now :cool: but it's not as full-on busy as a PGCE will be. First things first - be kind to yourself. Plan lots of tiny treats. Enjoy the simple things, and don't feel bad about curling up in front of the telly. There's a lot to be said for something to look forward to.

I think being really organised from the beginning is important, (which I am sure you are). Taking good notes is a real skill, that I feel like I am only learning now. I have recently learned that thinking before writing and reading is as useful as thinking through writing and reading. Using a computer calendar is really great, I can set alarms for things and plan in goals straight from my phone which syncs up.

At home I would finish all projects, and not take on anything extra. I'd probably get a slow cooker, and do loads of batch cooking on the weekend. I love mine, and it's so cool not having to make dinner every night. I don't know if your Dad cooks much but it's great for big hearty favourites. The card tip is great - I have a card and present stash.

You're going to be great!!

Kittikins

Hi Tete, I'm sooooo excited for you getting ready:) hope and pray that'll be me soon - I am currently debating not going into my work school on INSET day as volunteered (and doing the work I was planning to go at home instead beforehand) and going up to the primary school that called before the holiday. I think I'll call them tomorrow to see whether they still like the idea Still no news from Uni 2, barstewards!

I just need to find someone to have DD overnight and take her to school for me on that first day of summer term.....

In terms of preparation for studying, I'd suggest the card/present thing, also buy tons of stationery and folders, work through your textbooks, make sure you're up to date with dentist appointments (and maybe pre-book for during your training year?), and get a 'uniform' of school-appropriate clothes ready.

Are you doing PGCE and QTS or QTS alone? If I get into the primary school, I'd be doing QTS which will make it £3k cheaper, which would be handy!

Kepp

I think I would be just generally organising my life - but like I know I should be right now and I'm not

Organising photos is also on my list

I think entering everything you can now onto a calendar is a great idea - all birthdays, special events, MOTs the lot. But also enter pre-tasks if you know what I mean. Eg If you have put someone's birthday on there also put on 5 days before to post the card etc

Perhaps also put timescales on your list for sorting things like photos, so that the 5 months doesn't just pass by. Then you will know when set aside time to do these things.

Don't take on more from now than you think you will realistically finish so you don't get dishearted.

And as Lara says, plan some lovely things

You're going to be awesome!

starnac

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

What sort of things would you do to prepare if you knew you had a ridiculously stressful PGCE type year ahead of you?

Finish your scarves :rotfl:

That's so exciting Tete. I have no advice to offer apart from to echo the sentiments above. Just try to get yourself as organised as possible now so that you are not stressing about *trivial* things during your course

Good luck.

Kepp

starnac wrote: »

Finish your scarves :rotfl:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:That made me laugh

I've also started to divide my lists up as well, don't know if that will help?

I have the pre-Africa list, the between Africa and travelling list and the when I get back from travelling list (that one is commencing approx Jan 2015 :eek:)

I found it easier to prioritise that way, better than having clean the bathroom on a list next to doing a cross-stitch project that will take literally 100s of hours!

Also, attack one thing at the time may help - since making eBay my current priority I'm flying through it. Maybe make the photos your number one thing and only do the next thing once they are done?

starnac

How long are you going to Africa for beccie?

Kepp

I fly the 30th April and fly back the 5th June, so 5 weeks and a day

I have just booked some accomodation for when I arrive in Windhoek as we are there for 3 days going into schools etc before we leave on the walk on the 4th May. Quite excited as I had already booked a lovely room at the same place I have stayed before (for around £10 a night, amazing!) and they emailed to say they had messed up the booking, my heart sank till I read that meant I was being upgraded to a honeymoon suite for the 3rd night

Birdie85

I've never been in a position where I've had to think about that but it sounds like a great plan to have birthday cards and presents bought and wrapped. Try to get as organised as you can for Christmas too. If that means writing your cards in August then do it!

Beccie's idea of separating your lists then doing the projects one at a time is a great one too.

Oh and get your CC set up to pay the minimum payment every month so you don't get any more late payment charges. I still get stung by the odd late payment fee when I think 'I'll just use the CC for this for points/ease/protection' then forget all about it! :mad: It'd be even worse if I had my head full of actual important stuff, it's just me being useless!

If you've got anything like insurance/phone contract/whatever else that needs renewing annually due to be reviewed between Sep-Dec try to get deals sorted out beforehand so you're ready to just switch them over.

Really exciting stuff about Africa Beccie! Good news about the upgrade too, nice to have a bit of luxury before your trek!

Kepp

Birdie85 wrote: »

Really exciting stuff about Africa Beccie! Good news about the upgrade too, nice to have a bit of luxury before your trek!

That's what I thought. Other people are camping in the campsite attached to the place I'm staying and some are staying in the dorms (which are about £3 a night! :eek:) but for those prices I'll have a double bed and an en-suite thanks very much!

Have to say - I'm probably not going to enjoy the camping part But once we're walking it has to be camping so will have to get on with it then, but not a moment sooner than I have to!