FIFTYSOMETHING mother of three Terry O'Sullivan, who left school when she was fifteen, is in her third year of the BA in humanities programme as St Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

It was her daughter who first encouraged her to enrol on a Leaving Certificate English course offered by the daytime education group KLEAR, Kilbarrack, Dublin. O'Sullivan followed up her Leaving Certificate with an introductory distance education BA module at DCU, where her tutor suggested she apply to St Patrick's. "Going for an interview at St Pat's was daunting. The aptitude test was horrendous - I'd never done anything like that before." However, she found everyone she met at the college" particularly kind and understanding."

Settling into third level life took time, but "if you're disciplined you get into a routine," she says. "Women who have reared families are used to leading structured lives - you just change your structures."

Going to college as a mature student can put strains on family life, O'Sullivan says. "My husband took early retirement and he has been very supportive. I couldn't have done it without him. You have your bad days and you need someone to give you encouragement." Going tub college can affect friendships too, she says. "Sometimes friends don't take you seriously, they think you're just filing in time. And there's occasionally begrugdery - people may feel you're getting a bit above yourself." The mature students at St Patrick's are however extremely supportive. "They're a fantastic crowd ... coming to college is the best thing I ever did."

O'Sullivan is on a grant, but says that "many mature students have to make huge financial sacrifices to go to college, especially if they have young children or are paying mortgages."