Chalk Dust and Coffee: Why I Miss Lecturing (And Why I'll Be Back)

There's a unique buzz in an academic institution that you just don't find anywhere else. It's a mix of anticipation, that focused hum of a room full of people, and the shared excitement of discovering something new. Lately, I've found myself missing it quite a bit.

Life has a habit of changing your priorities, and right now the demands of family life have taken centre stage. It means the long, intensive hours that come with lecturing aren't really on the cards for the moment. People often forget that lecturing isn't just the time you spend standing at the front of the room; it's the massive "iceberg" of prep work, lesson design, and all that endless paperwork that seems to bleed into your evenings. I stepped back knowing it was the right thing to do for the kids, but I definitely have that itch to get back into it when time allows.

The venue itself

When I look back on my time at ABDO College, a huge wave of nostalgia hits me. It's such a brilliant venue — a stunning piece of architecture that made heading into work feel like an event in itself. It was an absolute pleasure to teach there, and I'm so grateful for the incredibly warm, friendly staff and the brilliant, knowledgeable lecturers I had the pleasure of working alongside.

What I miss most

Honestly, it's the student journey. There's something special about watching a cohort grow from Year One — where they're often a bit nervous and wide-eyed — all the way through to qualification. Knowing you've played a part in helping them gain that confidence and expertise is incredibly rewarding.

People often ask me if I preferred the big theatre or the smaller groups, but I honestly couldn't pick. There was such a buzz in commanding a room of 150 students, trying to make a complex topic really land for everyone. But then the one-to-one, hands-on teaching in the labs was just as enjoyable. Getting that immediate feedback and helping a student refine a tricky clinical technique is where those real "lightbulb" moments happen.

What I taught, and what I'll admit

Reflecting on what I taught, it's funny how your strengths — or perceived weaknesses — define you. I've always felt a bit insecure about maths; ever since school it's been the subject I've found most taxing, even if I'm perfectly capable when I really knuckle down. Perhaps that's why I felt so at home in Anatomy, Physiology, Refractive Management, and Legal and Ethics. Those subjects felt much more like my natural habitat.

Coming up on the blog

Stepping away for a bit has given me the headspace to think about more than just the what — I've been thinking a lot about the how. I'm planning to use this blog to unpack some of those deeper ideas. In future posts, I'm hoping to dive into:

• The Shift to Digital: looking back at the triumphs and headaches of online teaching, and how it changed my take on engagement.
• Back to the Lab: why there's simply no substitute for physical, hands-on dissection and lab sessions.
• The Art of Lesson Design: how to actually capture a room's attention, rather than just ticking off content.
• Learning to Learn: a topic that, frankly, is missing from almost every core curriculum — the art of teaching students how to learn, rather than just what to memorise.

Until life calms down enough for me to get back to the lectern, I'll be keeping these memories fresh and sharing my thoughts here.

Over to you

Are you a lecturer who's missing the classroom, or a student remembering a tutor who really made a difference? I'd love to hear your stories — drop me a message.