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me. It was all down to age. Sure, I made some friends, but apart from nipping to the pub the odd time after lectures, I didn't really do much socialising with them. I didn't have anything in common with them, apart from the degree we were doing. I remember once we were talking about the special editions of the Star Wars movies that had just been released (this would have been early 1998, I think). All my classmates were excited about seeing it in the cinema, and asked me if I had seen it. "Yes" was my reply, "in 1977 when it was released". Silence. "I wasn't born then", piped up one of the girls around the table. Oh dear.

I did find myself more dedicated in attending all classes and tutorials than my younger friends. Part of this was due to the fact I needed to pay attention as I'd been out of the learning loop for a while, and part of it was because I knew what failing was like, and it wasn't something I wanted to happen again.

*Is being a mature student for you?

Well, I can't answer that, because I don't know you. I know, at the end of the day, it was right for me, even though I didn't particularly enjoy my time at university. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it, and I needed the degree to have the career I wanted.

There are lots of things you have to take into account are you prepared to give up your job? Examine the reasons carefully for doing a degree because that's the most important reason to consider. Is it for improved job prospects? Is it simply to have a degree? You're bored, and can't think of anything else to do?

You do realise that you'll have to give up work, if you're employed? This means that your mortgage (if you have one) is at risk and your income will be severely limited for the duration of the course. You might find the course so tough, you spend a lot of your free time working on it, thus cutting out on any part time work.

The only other thing I can offer as advice is that if you are considering returning to education, try and find out as much as you can about financial incentives for mature students because I'm sure there were things on offer that I never knew about. If you can do it, talk to your local education authority or your local university or college. These people are best placed to offer advice based on your individual circumstances and talking to these people should be a priority if you've decided to return to education.

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