The summer before beginning your NQT year is filled with a rollercoaster of emotions that can leave you heady with excitement, or looking suspiciously green…

So, what can you do about the new-term stomach swirlers to ensure that you are fresh and ready for the start of your new career?

Don’t over-plan

After constantly being told how busy your NQT year will be, there is a huge temptation to get as much planned in advance as you can. Resist this temptation.

Imagine a stranger planning an entire outfit for you. At best, it would need a few tweaks; at worst, it wouldn’t fit at all. Lesson planning is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s important to know and understand your students before you plan in depth. Focus on planning quality teaching for the first week or two that will help you to get a grasp of who your children are and what they need from you.

Find your tribe

Teachers create communities. There are thousands of people on social media, discussion boards – and even some real-life humans, too – who are all ready to talk to you about teaching life. So, don’t be afraid to ask. We have all been NQTs!

However, it is important not to try and be "Pinterest perfect"’; just be yourself. Trying to emulate the style of social media "celeb" teachers will be a drain on your time and brain. You got this job because you are you.

Put your own oxygen mask on first…

You are about to have an exhilarating (but exhausting) first term as an NQT. The most vital thing you can do at the moment is rest and recharge. Sleep lots and take time to enjoy doing things for yourself.  

Nervousness may make this easier said than done. So, use the people around you to help. Plan things with friends or family… and stick to those plans.

Think about what you want to achieve

Targets are probably the last thing you want to think about after your training, but a good way of knocking the nerves away is to do some goal-setting. Take some time to reflect on where you are.

What are you really good at and how will you make the most of that in school? Where do you know you need to brush up and what will you do about it? What do you want to have achieved by the end of your NQT year? And before you ask, no –  “I just want to pass it,” is not an acceptable answer.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Whether you have spent the summer prepping your classroom or island hopping in some sunny place, you might still be worrying that you haven’t done enough. Think Taylor Swift and shake that off, right now. Things will fall into place in September, especially when you have the support of your new colleagues.

Nobody will notice whether you have triple-laminated labels or colour-coordinated things to within an inch of their life. Everything will be fine.  

Sarah Wright is senior lecturer of primary education at Edge Hill University. She tweets @Sarah__wright1