My Top 10 Tips for Surviving

1.  Be organised, prepared & know what you have to teach

2.  Get to school early & leave late

3.  Ask for help & find a mentor

4.  Prioritise tasks on your to do list and don't get too overwhelmed

5.  Do supply teaching to build confidence and knowledge if you don't get a full time position

6.  Find a balance between work and home life

7.  Set boundaries & consequences for the children and stick to them

8.  Treat children how you would want to be treated.  Show them respect and they will show you it back

9.  Visit your school before hand & get a copy of your schools prospectus

10. You are not alone - all beginning teachers are going through this  

Other Important Tips from First Year Teachers

• Keep activities moving & have 5 minute fillers up your sleeve when your lessons finish early
• Be a listener not an advice giver with your fellow staff members
• Ask lots of questions & don't be afraid to ask for help and support
• Don't take on too many extracurricular activities in your first year - time for planning & making resources is a must
• Use the internet for ideas, don't reinvent the wheel
• Work shadow a teacher at the beginning of a new year whilst still at uni to see how to set up for the new year
• Look behind a child's behaviour there are usually many reasons as to why they are misbehaving
• Always have a plan B ready
• Finding a mentor on staff is vital
• You are a beginning teacher and you are not expected to know everything 
• There is more to life than just teaching - find a good work/life balance
• Network with other beginning teachers either personally or via email
• Try new things unitl you find what works best for your students
• Work smart, not harder