All teachers have their share of problems at school, it’s just part and parcel of the job. But what happens when there’s no coffee? Or what if you forgot the lines of Shakespeare? Here are seven problems teachers have to deal with almost every day:

1. When the students are laughing but you don’t know why

Students are only kids, and they love to laugh. But what’s so funny? They never tell you, they just keep laughing. This happens when you’re trying to teach a lesson, and all you can hear is someone’s snorting laughter from the back. It makes you paranoid. Are they laughing at you? What have they done now? But they won’t tell you what it is. So, back to teaching the lesson.

2. When a student finds you on Facebook

What could be worse than seeing a student out of school hours? Probably them finding you on Facebook. There you are, with a profile picture of you on holiday in Spain with a cocktail and a fake moustache on for some reason. And they add you. What’s worse is they’ll talk about it the next day in school, and then everyone will know about you in Spain with a cocktail and a fake moustache.

3. No coffee in the staff room

It’s Monday morning. You don’t even feel like saying hello to the other teachers. You just want, no, need coffee. But there is none. The cupboard is empty and class is starting so there’s no time to run to the shop. So, with a glass of water, you stagger to the classroom and smile. Until one of your students asks why you look awful. And then Jenny at the back is shouting because Tom took her phone.

4. When a student answers back, but they’ve got a point

Students can be quite precocious, and sometimes it can be charming because it shows they’re learning. A problem a teacher can face is when a student answers back, the way a stubborn teenager gets. What’s worse is when they’ve got a point. Now you’re the stubborn one who needs to decide whether to back down or let them win. And you know they’ll never forget that win.

5. When you have to mark papers but can’t read the handwriting

Marking papers is all ticking, crossing and checking spelling. But what happens when you can’t read their handwriting? What does that say? Is that right? Just draw a smiley face and move on.

6. When you’re reciting Shakespeare but forget what it means

You’re reciting Shakespeare. “If music be the food of love, play on,” you read. One of the students asks what it means, you think for a moment, but nope, it’s gone from your head. So, you ask them what they think instead.

7. When everyone is talking, but their conversation is much more interesting

It’s a Friday afternoon and the students have lost interest. It’s hard to keep their attention. They’re talking over you now. But you hear their conversation and it’s much more interesting than what you’re teaching. If they talk about that TV show you like, you might just join in with them.