It’s Never too Late.

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

My first day at university was one of the most exciting days of my life. It was Wednesday 31st August 1994 and I was registering to do a B.A. ( Hons ) in humanities at Queens University, Belfast. I had already been accepted and it was time to fill in the paperwork.

As I was driving there I heard an announcement on the car radio that the IRA had called a complete cessation of military activities, in other words a ceasefire. It was only to last until February 1996 but it gave some hope that a permanent ceasefire could be achieved.

I was 45 at the time and my course would be part time, over 4 years, as I was working full time.

I couldn’t believe I was actual there, I had left school at 16 due to friction at home which you may or may not have read about in my Memories blog.

I had supported by husband though his degree and PhD and now it was my turn to fulfill my dream of going to university.

We were shown round the various lecture theatres and given a list of subjects for the first semester. I couldn’t wait to get started.

I had seen Educating Rita at least three times and could picture myself asking extremely probing questions of my lecturers. I walked round the quadrangle picturing myself at the garden party after my graduation. I had been at my husband’s so I knew the drill. I also made many good friends on that first day and we supported each other through the years.

I graduated in 1999 having had to take a break for a while as my mother had a stroke and my mother in law developed dementia but I persevered and got there in the end.

It’s never too late to follow your dreams.