Going Back To School

Returning to education is about more than just learning new skills and changing your life - it can be fun too!

Not only will you have a much more positive attitude, you'll also have years of life experience to bring to the table, which means you'll have more perspective and inspiration about whatever you're studying. Whether you fancy a career change or if you just want to broaden your horizons, undertaking a course is a great way to make yourself better informed and up your expertise in your chosen field. And don't forget - throwing your energies into something you love is a lot of fun!

Going back to school doesn't necessarily mean sitting behind a pile of textbooks in front of a lecturer. Don't limit yourself to academic studies - make a list of all of your talents and interests, and try to find a course that combines them all. This could cover all manner of things, from an Open University programme, to a gym-instructor training course, to an on-the-job qualification in carpentry or plumbing! The possibilities are endless - so embrace your passions and build on them.

If you do want to go the whole hog and study something very academic, there are plenty of options available to people who want to return to education. You could study a degree part time, do an A-Level evening course or even go in at the deep end and join a university for a full three year course (although the odds are good that you won't be the only grown up student, be prepared to be surrounded by excitable eighteen year olds!).

There are also plenty of ways to retrain without having to spend a fortune or give up too much of your precious free time. The internet has made this very easy - there are lots of sites that offer instant-access training sessions, and while this may be a slightly informal way to study, it's valuable nonetheless. You could also consider using DVDs or CDs to teach yourself a language. Even setting up a book club at home and having seminars with your girlfriends about the plots and characters is a good way to stretch your mind and get you inspired!

If you're really serious about further education, the best place to start your search for the right course is by calling or emailing the government's Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Once you've decided on your course, you can look forward to learning a new skill, building on your interests and making loads of new friends in the process. Just remember not to start fancying any of the boys if they look likely to run off with someone else...!