Returning to education brings new beginnings

Posted on October 04, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Karen Shields, Postgraduate student in Adult and Community Education at NUI Maynooth

In this blog entry, mature student Karen Shields writes about the experience of returning to university.

Another September has rolled around and for the fourth year I'm getting ready to join the growing number of mature students who are returning to learning. This year I started a post graduate degree and had all those feelings associated with first days and new beginnings. This time round I had the advantage of returning to where I had studied for my primary degree and I also knew a number of people who were also taking the course. I still had butterflies in my stomach and shaky legs as I entered the room. Everyone was already seated and I couldn't see an empty seat anywhere! Once settled and the introductions had started I could feel the anxiety ebb away. By the end of the first day I was exhausted from the pressure of trying to remember names and from trying to keep conversation flowing when speaking to my new classmates.

Feeling the fear and doing it anyways!

I've just completed my second week and I have to admit there are moments when I'm convinced I've made the wrong choice but there are longer periods of time when I think "yeah, this is going to be alright". I've returned to education this year with the hope of acquiring a Higher Diploma in Adult and Community Education. Already I have learned things about myself that I had previously paid little or no attention to. I had been dreading the Community Drama module that is part of the course, but, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I'm enjoying the class and by how much I've learned since we've started.
I returned to learning in 2006 when I decided to take a part time course in Psychology. I still remember the feeling of anxiety and nervousness that I felt when I began that course. When the tutor explained that there would be an exam at the end of the year but it wasn't compulsory I instantly made up my mind that I would not be taking the test! As she handed back the results and she told me she could still remember the look of horror that passed over my face that first day. The sense of achievement was something else and I decided then and there to continue learning. Since then I have studied psychology for two years on a part time basis went on to complete an Arts Degree. I hated school as a child and teenager and am really proud of what I have achieved in the past few years.

A balancing act

I still smile when I remember the look of disbelief on my mum's face when I announced that I was returning to education. I can still remember her earnestly pointing out to me that I had two children a husband and a home. Patiently explaining that, my track record at finishing courses wasn't very encouraging. Reminding me of the repeat leaving certificate courses she had paid for and I had dropped out of after a couple of months. She was one of the proudest mothers at the Graduation in September.
The past three years have been a great experience. Studying Arts at NUIM has been terrific. I won't lie, at times it has been a struggle but with the help and support of family and friends I have completed the three years. I'm really looking forward to the year ahead and hope that my experience as a mature student returning to learning might be of interest to others hoping to do the same.

Would you like to share your story of returning to education? Visit the Inspiring Learners section of our website.

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