Teacher Candidate Tips for a Healthy Fall Placement

As the semester nears an end, teacher candidates are preparing to step into classrooms to teach children in their Fall placements. Although it is a very exciting time to put everything that has been learned into practice in a real classroom setting, it can also be a very daunting experience. In order to be a successful teacher candidate, we need to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves in both the mental and physical sense. 

Here are 5 tips to take care of your mental and physical health while heading into placement. 

1. Develop a stable morning and evening routine.

Adjusting to a strict day to day routine in a new environment can only be done if our mornings are productive and both physically and mentally prepare us for our day in the classroom. Taking the time to prepare for early mornings can help put our brains at ease at night. 

2. Have a clean and relaxing space to work and live in. 

A clean space means a clean mind. By taking the time to ensure the environment we are coming home to is clean and clutter free, it helps our brain be able to decompress from the busy day. 

3. Try out new healthy lunch recipes. 

Taking a lunch to school everyday can become monotonous. Trying out some new recipes that make our lunch breaks that much more exciting is always a good idea. Check out one of our previous blog posts for essential staples to have in your pantry! Pinterest is also a great resource for finding recipes inspiration.

4. Use Student Health and Wellness Resources

Student Health and Wellness has many resources that are still accessible to you while on placement. Our Nurse Practitioner and Counsellor are all available via online appointments for your convenience. You can also check-in with your mental health and access a variety of mental health resources through the WellU Key. We are here to help you during this transitional time, even if you are not on campus. For more information on the resources available to you, click here. 

5. Keep in contact with friends and have fun! 

Keeping in contact with friends on campus is a quintessential way to remain calm and happy during placement. Even though leaving our friends can be very difficult, it is important to remember that placement is going to be the best experience, and that your friends are only a call away! Making plans to meet up during and after your placement can be a great way to remain connected to friends.