The August Reality Check every new teacher needs

It's normal to feel terrified. Here's why that's actually a good sign.

It's 2am, and you're lying awake thinking about September. Your mind is racing: What if the pupils don't listen to me? What if I can't control the class? What if I'm terrible at this and everyone realises I don't know what I'm doing?

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You're not broken, unprepared or unsuited for teaching. You're having a completely normal human response to starting one of the most challenging and rewarding careers in the world.

After over 25 years in education and countless conversations with teachers in their first few weeks, I can tell you this: the anxiety you're feeling right now is actually a sign that you care deeply about doing well.

Let Me Share Something Personal

Twenty eight years ago, I spent most of August convinced I'd made a terrible mistake. I'd lie in bed creating worst-case scenarios: pupils walking out of my lessons, parents complaining about me, senior teachers questioning why I'd been hired.

The night before my first day, I seriously considered calling in sick. Not because I was ill, but because the fear felt overwhelming.

Here's what no one told me then, but I'm telling you now: that fear was completely normal, and it didn't predict my success as a teacher.

What You're Really Afraid Of

Let's name the fears that are probably keeping you awake:

"I don't know enough."
The truth: No one expects you to know everything. Your job isn't to be perfect – it's to be willing to learn.

"The pupils won't respect me."
The truth: Respect isn't automatic for anyone. It's built through consistency, fairness and genuine care for your pupils.

"I'll make mistakes in front of everyone."
The truth: You will make mistakes. So will every other teacher in your school. The difference between good and great teachers isn't avoiding mistakes – it's learning from them.

"I'm not ready."
The truth: No one feels ready for their first teaching job. Readiness comes from doing, not from thinking about doing.

"What if I'm not cut out for this?"
The truth: The fact that you're worried about being good enough suggests you probably are.

The August Spiral (And How to Stop It)

Here's what happens to most ECTs in August:

Week 1: Excitement about starting 

Week 2: Productive planning and preparation 

Week 3: Anxiety starts creeping in 

Week 4: Full-blown panic about everything you haven't done

This spiral is so predictable, I could set my calendar by it.

The problem isn't that you haven't prepared enough. The problem is that your brain is trying to solve problems that don't exist yet, with children you haven't met, in situations you can't predict.

What August Anxiety Actually Tells Me About You

When I meet an ECT who's feeling anxious about September, here's what I see:

• Someone who cares about their pupils' learning

• Someone who takes the job seriously and wants to do well

• Someone who's realistic about the challenges ahead

• Someone who's exactly the kind of person we need in teaching

The teachers who worry me? The ones who aren't worried at all.

Your September Reality Check

What September will actually look like:

Week 1: Exhausting but exciting. You'll make it through each day thinking "I survived!" Pupils will test boundaries – this is normal behaviour, not a reflection of your ability.

Week 2: Still tiring, but you'll start seeing patterns. Some strategies will work better than others. You'll have your first "teaching win" moment.

Week 3: You'll feel slightly more confident. Routines will start to stick. You'll realise the pupils are getting used to you too.

Month 2: You'll have your first proper challenging day and recover from it. This is when you start becoming a teacher rather than someone pretending to be one.

By Christmas: You'll look back at your August anxiety and smile. Not because it was silly, but because you'll realise you were stronger than you knew.

What to Do Right Now

If the anxiety is overwhelming:

Take control of what you can control:

• Have your first week planned (you've probably done this)

• Know your school policies (especially behaviour)

• Prepare simple routines for your daily essentials

• Trust that the rest will come with experience

Give yourself permission to:

• Not know everything on day one

• Ask for help when you need it

• Make mistakes and learn from them

• Feel proud of choosing this profession

Remember:

• Every experienced teacher once felt exactly like you do now

• Your training prepared you more than you realise

• Your school hired you because they believe in your potential

• You have the whole year to grow into the teacher you want to be

You're Not Alone in This

Starting your ECT year can feel isolating, but you're part of a community of educators who want to see you succeed.

If you're looking for practical support as you start your ECT journey, I'm here to help. I'm currently developing various ways to support early career teachers - from partnerships with education providers to independent workshops.

This isn't about adding more pressure. It's about connecting with other ECTs, learning from experienced educators and gaining practical strategies that actually work in real classrooms.

Ready to connect with support that actually understands your challenges? Contact me through my website, and let's discuss how I can help you thrive in your teaching career. Because the teachers who thrive aren't the ones who never feel scared – they're the ones who feel scared and show up anyway.

Final Thoughts

Your August anxiety doesn't mean you're not ready for teaching. It means you're human, you care and you're about to embark on one of the most important jobs in the world.

The children who will be in your classroom in September need exactly who you are: someone who cares enough to worry, someone dedicated enough to prepare, someone brave enough to try.

Trust yourself. You're more ready than you know.

For more strategies on building confidence and managing the emotional challenges of early career teaching, check out my book The ECT Survival Guide, which provides practical guidance from someone who's supported hundreds of teachers through their first years. Available now on Amazon.