The idea of going on placement and getting fully involved with the primary setting is something which always excited me even before my start at university. It was always something which I looked forward to. I would not say that my excitement has dulled in anyway however, I would say that the nerves have began to creep in along side my excitement as the placement date becomes ever closer. However, I feel that my observation day, last Tuesday has definitely put my nerves at ease. I feel that getting to meet the class teacher, the class and other staff within the school has made me feel a lot more comfortable. My teacher is very helpful and very open to me contributing as much as I can to the class, which I am very thankful for as I believe that with this support in place I can really achieve something and grow in my profession on my placement. I really enjoyed the opportunity of getting to know the pupils in my class and finding out their personalities and interests, something which I wish to develop on when I start my placement. At first when I found out I had a primary 7 class, I was quite apprehensive but since visiting the class I think I have began to embrace this. I feel that some of the topics that are covered and the discussions which are held can be exceptionally interesting and detailed to a level that you could only get with a primary 7 class. For example the class’s current theme is renewable energy something which I have limited knowledge on, therefore I had the chance of learning from the children. This was an experience I very much enjoyed as I felt I had the opportunity to interact while teaching the children and learning information for myself. The width of knowledge in the classroom was astounding. I can safely say that my observation day and helped to extinguish many of my pre-conceived nerves of placement and made me extremely excited to get involved and get started.
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Hi,
I am a BA3 student, studying Primary Education at UWS. As part of one of our modules this trimester, we have been encouraged by Education Scotland to explore these blog posts and comment on one that catches our eye. Obviously, ‘placement jitters’ is a theme I can relate to hugely! I am about to go on a P2 placement in a couple of weeks and the nerves are setting in again. I agree with you; meeting the class and teacher before the event really does make a huge difference, even in terms of behaviour management, because you actually know the names of the children which I’ve found lets them know you are keeping an eye on them. This placement, I am just going to try to enjoy it from the word go, as last time I experienced a plethora of worrying thoughts for the duration (mainly around the idea that I wasn’t smart enough to teach the kids). Having successfully come through a placement, I am now more confident that I am qualified to do the thing I love and I’m looking forward to learning new things with my class!
Rachel
#uwsba13three
Thank you so much for commenting! I feel like placement is one of those things that get to everyone in some way. I understand exactly where you are coming from when you say that you were worried that you weren’t smart enough to teach the kids, that is also one of my fears however, I feel like I have been given a large boost of confidence recently so hopefully all goes well. I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming placement!
Thank you again
Megan!
Hi Megan! I was having a wee read of your blog post and I can really relate to the feelings you had before your placement. Having completed a few placements now, I always find that the pre-placement visit really helps to ease my nerves. Hope your placement goes well! Remember to enjoy it! #uwsba13two
Sarah
UWS
BA3
Thank you so much for commenting it’s good to know I’m not the only one.
Thank you! I’ll try to make the very most out of it. I hope your future placements also go well.
Megan!
Hi Megan,
I am currently so thankful that I am not alone in terms of nerves for placement! I also have my pre-placement day coming up, in fact it is this Wednesday, and although I have already met my class I am still quite anxious. This will be my first placement in P1 so hopefully I’ll take everything in my stride this time and try enjoy my placement as much as possible. I hope your placement goes well and that you enjoy it!
Carly
#uwsba13one
Hi Carly,
I hope your pre placement day went well! I feel the exact same, it is good to know that everyone has the same anxious feelings. I feel like that’s the best approach to take, I hope to do the same.
Thank you for commenting! I also hope that your placement goes brilliantly!
Hi Megan,
I am also a BA3 student studying at UWS and I am about to embark on a primary 1/2 placement in the next few weeks. I totally understand the nerves kicking in but hopefully I will feel at ease after observing the class and discussing plans with the class teacher. I hope you have an enjoyable placement with your primary 7 class.
Murray.
#uwsba13one
Hi Murray,
thank you for commenting. I feel like getting to know your class can be exceptionally helpful at putting any nerves at ease and its always good to know that everyone has the same nerves as I do. Good luck with your placement, I hope you enjoy it!
Megan.
Hi Megan
I am a 3rd year student at the University of the West of Scotland and in few weeks I will begin my 6 week placement in lower primary, I spend 3 weeks in the school nursery before Christmas so this gave me a chance to become familiar with the school and meet my class teacher. However I am still extremely nervous as I have only met my class once and I am unsure just now of the topics I will be teaching. I have my pre-placement visit to the school tomorrow and I am hoping this will put my mind at ease slightly so I can begin to prepare lessons. I’m just glad to read I’m not the the only one with placement jitters!
Good luck with placement!
Best wishes,
Kirsty Wallace
Hi Kirsty,
Thank you for commenting. I always like hearing about everyone’s placements and how they are all set out. I feel like its the fear of the unknown with me so I know exactly where you are coming from. I hope your pre-placement visit went well and good luck with your placement!
Megan.
Hi Megan,
I am about to start a primary one placement and feel that I can really relate to your placement jitters! I agree that your excitement doesn’t dwindle, the nerves just seem to overtake the excitement however I too think that the pre-placement visit always helps! During my last placement I felt quite consumed by paperwork and doubted my ability a lot throughout the six weeks however having passed the placement I feel more confident and encouraged to enjoy my next school experience.
Good luck with you new class 🙂
Lottie Stark
UWS
#uwsba13one
Hi Lottie,
Thank you for commenting, I’m glad you can relate to this post, its always good to know that everyone feels the same at the beginning. I’m hoping that this placement goes well and I can get a similar boost of confidence. I wish you the best of luck with your Primary one placement and hope that you really enjoy it.
Megan.
DU
Megan,
I’m also a BA3 from UWS and I totally relate to your post. I’ve now had a great placement and a not so great placement and agree that the pre-placement visit really helps ease the nerves. I’m meeting my Primary 1 class next week and I’m feeling excited (for now). I wish you all the best in your career! #uwsba13three
Regards,
Lori Anne
Hi, Lori Anne
Thank you for commenting. It is always good getting information from others who have been through placements! I hope your placement goes well. Good luck.
Megan.
Hi Megan! I enjoyed reading your blog and it helps to remind us that we’re not alone when we embark on a big placement. I’m in my third year at UWS and about to begin a six week placement in primary 3. I agree that a pre-visit can really help to calm some nerves after visiting my school today and meeting my class and teacher, who both seem lovely. I’m still filled with the same anxiety I always have before a placement but I’m also excited to begin teaching again. I hope your placement goes well and wish you the best of luck! #uwsba13one
Kirsty
BA3 UWS
Hi Kirsty,
Thank you very much for commenting. I love getting information from others who have been through placements. I think that placement is one of those things that gives everyone that anxious feeling but hopefully all will go well. I wish you the best of luck with your Primary 3 class.
Also just realised we have the same surname, looks like there will be several miss shearers around!
Megan.
Well Megan, from my point of view, I’m jealous that you’re about to go on placement. I would love to be going too but will have to content myself with placement visits instead. This is what the past semester and a bit has been leading up to and it will soon be time to put into practice all the things you have learned. It is always a bonus if your class teacher is encouraging and happy for you to try things out – take advantage of this. I totally understand and appreciate the ‘butterflies in the tummy’ feeling but if you didn’t have them then that would be worrying. If you’re nervous then it means that you care because you want to do well and because this is important to you.
As all the students from the University of West of Scotland have commented, it will be great. Good luck and enjoy!
Tara