Student teaching is the most anticipated semester for all education majors.

For my first three years as an elementary education major, I looked up to the seniors with both awe and wonder. 

I was beyond excited to be in their shoes and be a full-time student teacher. I was also terrified of the notorious portfolio requirements and the immense pressure.

After four years of working my ass off, I finished my student teaching and passed my portfolio for teaching licensure. I am officially done with my education degree.

Now that I am on the other side, I’m here to pass down all of my wisdom before I move on to the equally—if not more—scary realm of full-time job hunting. Without further ado, here are my top tips for surviving your student teaching semester.

Student teach in the fall

The best advice I heard from both professors and mentor teachers was to student teach in the fall, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Student teaching in the fall means you see how classroom management and routines are set up in the first few days of school.

Students also see you as more of an authority figure because they don’t know any different: they’re used to having you there and will respect you more.

Not to mention, there are fewer people student teaching in the fall, so you’re more likely to get your first choice in placement.

Save up money before student teaching

I didn’t work a part-time job during student teaching, even though I’ve worked every other semester of college. The only money I made for the semester was from the few days I subbed for my mentor teacher.

Student teaching is a full-time job without pay, with the added stress of seminar and portfolio requirements. My peers who did work during student teaching ended up feeling burnt out after only a few weeks, and the semester got even crazier from there.

Instead of working during student teaching, I worked two part-time jobs at once over the summer before. Working approximately 45 hours per week allowed me to save up for all of my expenses during my student teaching semester.

Yes, my bank account did look grim by the end of the semester, but I was able to make it work with my savings and start working again when student teaching was over.

Stay on top of portfolio deadlines

I know it’s cliché, but the biggest way I was able to minimize stress during student teaching was to stay on top of deadlines, especially with portfolio assignments. 

Seminar professors scaffold the portfolio so you don’t have to do all of it at once at the end of the semester. Take advantage of this and get the work done early.

Don’t be afraid to try new things

Student teaching is the time to try things out, make mistakes and figure out your own personal teaching style.

First, don’t be afraid to have a lesson that fails: your mentor teacher and supervisor understand that you’re there to learn. You’ll be able to grow from it and get better as you go.

Another great way to explore new things is to take time in the last week or so of student teaching—after you’ve completed your solo weeks—to observe different classrooms in other grade levels that you’re interested in. 

If there’s something you’re interested in trying out, take advantage of it while you have this amazing opportunity.

Cherish every moment—both in and out of the classroom

Student teaching goes by in the blink of an eye: one minute you’re terrified to teach your first lesson, and the next you’re crying on your last day with your kiddos. 

Take the time to enjoy all of the amazing things that happen during this semester, both in the classroom and as a normal college student.

The best decision I made was to not let student teaching stop me from enjoying my senior year of college.

Going out for a drink and a slice of pizza at Three Needs with my friends on a Friday night truly got me through the semester.

There are so many “lasts” that happen when you’re a senior. Make sure you rest and don’t go too hard, but take time each week to have a little fun too.

Yes, student teaching is hard and you’re allowed to complain about all the struggles, but take the time to enjoy this period of immense growth and learning.