The first week back at school was "torture" for Michelle Micks. She remembers going back after a nine-year break and being terrified. Now she's looking forward to going back to start her second year at the University of Limerick where she's studying Law and European Studies.

Two years ago she went back to study for her Leaving Cert, through the VTOS scheme at the Limerick Adult Education College. Before that she was "doing bits of everything - factory work, bar work, child minding", she says. She left school in 1986 after her Inter Cert exam. "I went from job to job and I did courses through FAS. But I just came to the conclusion that you can't get a good job unless you have a degree."

"The first week was torture, you don't know what to expect as a mature student, but you meet all ages. The ages are from 23 to 60." Doing the Leaving Cert "was an adventure. As mature students we don't give ourselves credit for our experience. Once I got the first exam over I was fine."

Last year she got a place on the four-year degree programme at UL that she had applied for. "I couldn't believe I was through. The buzz was unreal. I was thinking, `I look older'. But you don't stand out. No one notices you as different. I'm actually looking forward to going back."

Starting back, she recalls, "it was a struggle, I couldn't say it was easy". Her advice to others who are thinking of returning to school is "if you can save some money, then do it". Now, she says, "I take every day as it comes. I study at weekends."