Teaching in December: Looking After Yourself at the End of Term

When I was teaching, the late autumn term was always the hardest stretch of my year. Dark mornings and short days slowly drained the energy and optimism I’d started September with. By December I was running on empty, just as everyone else seemed to be gearing up for the festive season.

If that feels familiar, you’re not alone. Every year, the end of the autumn term is when we hear from the most teachers who are quietly wondering whether there’s another way. Here are some gentle, practical ways to look after yourself while you get through it, and to think about what comes next.

Why December teaching feels so heavy

It’s not just you. December brings a perfect storm: assessments and reports, nativities and concerts, tired children, parents’ evenings, and the pressure to make everything feel magical, all at the darkest time of year. Add family commitments at home and it’s no wonder so many teachers feel stretched thin.

Gentle ways to protect your energy

• Choose your “good enough”. Decide in advance which tasks need your best and which only need to be done. Not every display needs to be perfect.
• Protect one evening a week. Put it in your diary as an appointment with yourself, and keep it.
• Get outside in daylight. Even a ten-minute walk at lunchtime helps with energy and mood.
• Lean on colleagues. Share resources, split tasks and say yes when someone offers help.
• Notice how you really feel. If you’re struggling to sleep, feeling tearful or finding it hard to concentrate, talk to someone you trust, your GP or the free and confidential Education Support helpline on 08000 562 561.

Using the holiday to reflect, not just recover

The Christmas break is a chance to rest first. Once you’ve recovered a little, it can also be a good moment for some quiet reflection:

• What am I proud of this term?
• What felt heavy, and what can I let go of?
• What would I like the next year to feel like?

Writing your answers down turns swirling thoughts into decisions. You don’t need a plan straight away. Clarity comes first.

If you’re thinking about a different path

If this term has left you wondering whether teaching in the classroom is still right for you, that’s worth listening to. Many experienced teachers find that tutoring, and especially running their own small group programmes, lets them keep the part of teaching they love while choosing their own hours.

You might find leaving teaching in the UK: a hard but rewarding choice helpful, or our free Group Tuition Guide if you’re curious about what a tuition business could look like.

Written byEllie BakerFounder, The Business of TutoringEllie is the founder of The Business of Tutoring. A former teacher and tutor, she has built two education businesses from scratch and authored The 2 Hour Tutor. Today she holds the vision for our school, shapes our programmes and coaches on our live calls. Meet the team