the long commute ain't so bad

Hello everyone,

Firstly welcome to my blog! AHHHHHHH can't believe I'm saying that. This post will be written as I would speak so keep your grammar rules to yourself. Thanks xox

I was inspired to write this after discussing on my instagram story about how the long commute used to be so beneficial to me! I was actually far more organised and productive when I had to drive 1 hour to school (work).

I suppose you're wondering... How? That's what I'm here to share!

Firstly let me just say that you should concentrate on the road while driving and if thinking/ planning in your head will distract you from that then do NOT take your mind off the road. I am also not telling you to do what I have done - I'm just sharing what worked for me.

How I used my time productively on my journey to school:

1. Singing - practicing songs for classes, learning song lyrics (song on repeat), planning mash ups by listening, creating harmonies and adjusting songs to suit my class needs.
2. Planning - when everyone hears the word planning they expect loads of writing, not me. I used to voice record myself talking through my day or week. If I had an idea I knew I could use in my teaching then I'd record myself talking through I; talking about the content of lessons & resources I would use.
3. Assessment - I would plan out assessments in my head and again would voice record anything that I want to include in an assessment. You could voice record yourself going through a whole test and type it when you got to school or in free time by quickly listening back.
4. LISTENING - I found the drive handy to listen to documentaries that I planned to show on YouTube (always vital to have a listen through in case there is anything inappropriate). I have bluetooth in my car so my phone easily connects to play through my sound system. I never needed to watch the videos if I had listened to them in the car because you'd know from listening if it was appropriate or not.
5. Podcasts & TED talks can be a nice way to spend your drive - it's a great way to keep your mind learning. I actually feel like I was always learning on the way to school.
6. Choreography - In my head I would plan out dances. I played whatever song it was on repeat and used to think about what moves would work.
7. Just general school ideas/ planning/ thinking time... whether it was for a show, class, extra curricular... I just found that having no distractions/ someone else interrupting made me extra productive and the ideas just flowed!

How I used my time productively on my journey home:

It's pretty much the same as above but depending on how my day went I may have had a different journey home.

1. Reflecting on my day everyday made me always questions what might work better.
2. Calming music - if it was a hectic day and my head was flying off me I used to listen to piano music (Einaudi) on the way home to clear my mind before getting home.

All of the above meant that I didn't spend as much time when it came to the written part of the above - planning lessons, making resources, typing out tests, etc. Also the fact that I spent 2 hours of my day driving meant that I was really productive and organised so that I had time to myself. I got my shit together!!!

I was on a 22 hour contract but I did have a few free classes. Every Friday, I planned my for the following week in one 40 minute class that I was off for. Yes I did just say that ONE 40 MINUTE CLASS OF PLANNING. I also had another free class later that day where I organised my resources for those lessons - again I spent one 40 minute class on this. On a Thursday I had a class where I corrected any work I needed to. I checked students' copies during class time and I also did the majority of corrections in class time, especially homework corrections.

I know it sounds crazy but I spent less time doing 'school stuff' that year than I have any other year - it was my first year out - I didn't have a big bank of resources, lessons, etc. But what I did have was a long drive that made the above easier.

So on a final note please don't be put off a school because it's 'too far' - maybe 2 hours each way is too far but an hour is definitely doable! When I move house I'll be commuting 1 hour 15 mins and I honestly can't wait to be that productive and organised again!

Thanks for reading if you got this far ya legend!

Toodles,
Múinteoir Cole