Having returned from living and working abroad at the age of thirty, I made the decision to further my education. This had been a recurring thought for many years.  I left secondary school after my Junior Certificate to begin an electrical apprenticeship and emigrated when I was twenty-three. Since my early twenties psychology has been of interest to me, although I thought it impossible to pursue a profession in this area without completing my Leaving Certificate. I also felt that my electrical background would raise questions such as, “Why don’t you pursue a course in I.T. or electrical engineering?” With all these thoughts in mind I set about making inquiries to ascertain my options.

To begin with, I began speaking with family and friends who might know of others in a similar position or who have experienced life as a mature student. Shane Cullinane, a friend who had finished his masters as a mature student in Mary Immaculate College, recommended that I speak with a woman by the name of Patricia-Anne Moore. P.A. (as she is fondly known) works in the Downtown Centre in Limerick City alongside Rhona Sherry and Claire Dowling. All of the information I was searching for was provided to me by this organisationand I received invaluable advice. I applied for a place on the Centre’s third-level access course, the Certificate in General Studies, and was delighted to be accepted. I completed it successfully in 2008 and my place in one of two colleges of my choice (U.L. or M.I.C.) was secured for the coming year. This course prepared me in many ways for third level and it gave me a sense of campus life, as the course is held in three colleges around Limerick and in the Downtown Centre itself. I also completed a one week work placement in the Enterprise Research Centre in U.L. and met some very friendly and interesting people while there. Above all, this course provided me with confidence in my academic abilities, and so I began my first year as a student of Mary Immaculate College in September 2008 with a relaxed and positive attitude.

I choose to attend M.I.C. not simply on the basis that it offered a course in psychology. U.L. also offers similar courses and the lecturers I studied under were equally supportive, however I felt U.L. to be too vast. Many students would prefer the hustle and bustle of larger colleges and the anonymity among the masses; it is simply a personal choice. After spending time on the M.I.C. campus and getting acquainted with many of the staff and students I felt it to be a comfortable environment. It is a relatively small-sized college which gives it a more communal facet, which appeals to me. Lecturers and tutors are accessible and obliging if I have any queries regarding my studies. Staff in other areas such as the Learner Support Unit (L.S.U), the Chaplaincy, the Siopa and the Students’ Union, to name but a few, have been friendly and helpful since the day I arrived. The assistance provided by the college for the students is infinite.

Currently, I am waiting impatiently to begin my second year in M.I.C.  The subjects I decided to continue with are psychology and media.  The next few years of my life, I am sure, will be challenging, interesting and rewarding. I am content with the decision I have made to return to education and appreciative of the assistance given to me by the people who made it, and continue to make it possible. If I could relive the experiences I have had over the past two years, in the Downtown Centre and Mary Immaculate College, I would not change a moment.