Student Teaching – Surviving and Thriving: What They Don’t Teach You in College

Student teaching is the bridge between learning about teaching and actually being a teacher. It’s exciting, intimidating, and sometimes downright exhausting. You’re stepping into a real classroom, with real students, real challenges—and real opportunities to grow.

Whether you’re a few days in or just gearing up to start, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your student teaching experience.

1. You’re Not Expected to Know Everything—Yet

I struggled with this a lot, I wanted everything to be perfect and it took me a while to realize that this was an impossible goal. In the beginning of my student teaching, I was not okay with making a mistake, and when I did, I beat myself up for it. Please don’t do this! I needed to learn that it is okay to make mistakes and it is okay for my cooperating teacher (CT) to step in and help me when I needed it. I was not going to learn anything by trying to figure things out on my own.

You’re going to make mistakes. You’ll misjudge timing, forget materials, or completely lose the room mid-lesson. It’s part of the process. Your cooperating teacher (CT) and university supervisor expect this. What matters is how you reflect and grow.

✅ Tip: Keep a notebook or digital log of what worked and what didn’t. These reflections will make you better every single week.

2. Build a Real Relationship with Your Cooperating Teacher

As an introvert, this can be difficult and scary to think about. I, personally, am an introvert when it comes to my peers and potential mentors/people older than me. So, I had to get over my fear of rejection in this situation. I felt the need to put aside my own introverted self in order to build that relationship with my CT. I felt the need to make a good impression on my CT and show that I am capable of being a mentor to students and that I have the potential to be a good teacher.

Looking back, this was not what I “needed” to do. I didn’t need to “prove” that I was going to be a good teacher. This was just my fear talking, I was afraid of not being a good teacher so I felt the need to over project myself in order to “prove” that I was good enough. This was not going to help me learn anything or build a relationship with my CT. I didn’t need to pretend to be an extrovert, I just needed to show initiative.

Remember, your CT is your mentor, not just your supervisor. Watch them closely. Ask questions. Offer to help with everything from lesson planning to classroom setup. The more initiative you show, the more you’ll learn—and the more your CT will trust you with greater responsibility.

✅ Tip: Don’t wait for direction. Ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?” every day.

3. Classroom Management > Perfect Lesson Plans

Having classroom managent strategies is so important! I failed to realize this in the beginning. I just thought that if I was nice, they would listen. Boy was I wrong.

I slowly learned that one strategy doesn’t work for every teacher and I started to get frustrated with how hard this actully was. Before I began student teaching this was not a fear I had, but is slowly became one of my biggest struggles. The students didn’t seem to respect me as a teacher and I needed to fix that, quick. So, instead of being the “nice” teacher that I was, I began to be more strict with students. I set expectations and expected them to follow them. This was like the magic cure for all my classroom management struggles. I just needed to find the strict side of myself for awhile and my “teacher voice” until they started to know what I expected of them.

Even the best-planned lesson can fall flat if you can’t hold your students’ attention. Student teaching is the perfect time to develop your classroom presence, your routines, and your “teacher voice.”

✅ Tip: Observe how your CT handles disruptions, transitions, and difficult students. Try different strategies until you find what fits your style.

4. It’s OK to Be Nervous

I was so nervous on my first few days and the first few days I started actually teaching. I was actually more nervous that my CT was watching and “judging” me. Which, to be clear, she wan’t judging me, I was just nervous. She was there to help me grow.

Standing in front of a room full of students for the first time is nerve-wracking. That’s normal. Confidence comes with experience. Remember: you’re not expected to be a veteran teacher on day one. You’re here to learn.

✅ Tip: Start small. Teach part of a lesson. Then lead warm-ups. Then take over the whole class. Build up slowly and intentionally.

5. Be Professional—Always

This is your first real impression in the education field. Show up early. Dress appropriately. Stay organized. Be respectful. Your CT, admin, and staff are all watching—and many student teachers get job offers based on their performance during this phase.

✅ Tip: Treat every day like a job interview. Because, in a way, it is.

6. Take Care of Yourself

This can be easier said than done. For me, I would find some quiet time any way I could. Whether that be sitting in my car after a long day, taking a nap, or just talking with my roomate. It also helped me to be connected with a counselor who could I could vent to about my student teaching struggles as well as any other struggles in my life.

Student teaching is demanding. You’re balancing full-time teaching, lesson planning, and likely coursework. Burnout is real. Eat well, sleep enough, and give yourself grace on the hard days.

✅ Tip: Find a support system—whether it’s fellow student teachers, friends, or a mentor you can vent to when things get tough.

7. Celebrate the Small Wins

It can be hard to see the good things, especially if your day was pretty bad. I, too, struggled with this most days. Try to look for anything positive, did your lesson go smoothly? Did a student smile and say, “That was fun”? Did you redirect a disruption without losing control? These are big wins (even if they feel small) Acknowledge them.

✅ Tip: Keep a “feel-good folder” of notes, drawings, or positive moments to revisit on tough days.

Final Thoughts: You’re Becoming a Teacher—One Day at a Time

Student teaching will challenge you in ways your coursework never could. But it will also confirm something powerful: you’re meant for this. The awkward moments, the early mornings, the breakthroughs—they’re all part of your transformation from a student into an educator.

So show up. Ask questions. Make mistakes. Keep growing. Because the classroom needs your voice, your energy, and your passion.

And this? This is just the beginning.