Working harder than ever, but loving every minute

Ann-Marie Coates's schedule makes those who think they lead a busy life look like layabouts. Apart from running a house and looking after two teenage children and three dogs, she has two part-time jobs and is studying full-time at the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, where she is flying through the course with academic distinction.

Ann-Marie cycles everywhere with Bitsy, her small black and white terrier, at her side. If Ann-Marie has a free hour between lectures she makes a dash for the supermarket or pedals home to prepare the dinner or hang out the washing.

I could really do with a 40-hour day, she says. It can be a major juggling act fitting everything in and at times it feels as if it's all going to fall apart. But my kids are great and the people in my class are fantastic - very supportive of each other - and I'd have to say the same for the college. It is a very friendly place and very student-focused. Ann-Marie was born in Enfield, Co Meath, and went to school at the Convent of Mercy in Trim. When she finished her Leaving Certificate, she did a secretarial course and went to work in the Ormond printing company.

"I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do when I left school," she says. "I was a very young 17-year-old and I did what my mother felt was best for me at the time - a secretarial course, because that's basically what most girls did in those days. I had no career ambitions beyond getting a job that would pay me reasonably well."

From the Ormond printing company, Ann-Marie moved to the Mostek factory from where she was made redundant in 1985. She was also expecting her first child and became a full-time mother when her daughter, Louise, was born in 1986. Her son, Stephen, arrived two years later. "When the kids were small, I used to knit for Tivoli wools and the garments I'd make would be photographed for patterns. I also did a bit of door-to-door market research, but I found I lacked the confidence needed for that type of work. I think being at home all the time with small children can sap your self-esteem and you can find it hard to get out and have an adult life with adult conversations," she says.

With Louise and Stephen well settled at school, Ann-Marie became involved with a group run by her children's school, which organised part-time courses for parents. She was encouraged to do a word-processing course and although she had never been near a computer in her life, she decided to have a go. This course was to change the direction of her life fundamentally.

"I left work before the workplace computerised, so it was all totally new to me and I was afraid to even switch the computer on," she says. "However, once I got over the initial fear, I found I loved it. I did well on the course and was thinking about going back to work when I heard about a VTOS course in teleservices and decided to do that. Again, I enjoyed it and did well and it was suggested to me that I should consider going to college.

"Not having gone to college after school was something I had begun to regret as I got older and with my nephew (who had done computer studies at Tallaght and is now a senior software developer) really encouraging me, I applied for the certificate in computing in information technology at the institute and was accepted as a mature student. Now I've my sights set on a degree and a job in the IT sector.

"It wasn't easy taking on a course like this and I found the first three semesters very difficult. I don't think it's become any easier. I've just got used to it being hard! We have continuous assessment, which really keeps you on your toes, and I live my life on a wing and a prayer.

"I suppose what keeps me going is the personal satisfaction that I've got this far. I also think it has been brilliant for my self-confidence, and it's good for my kids to see me studying. I've noticed that my studying has rubbed off on my daughter in particular.

"I've been able to go to college because I live close by and I can cycle. If I had to travel, it would be out of the question. I also have a grant for books and my fees are paid - these things are also very important for me. The course is full-time, but because there are breaks I can also work part-time. "Apart from the course itself, which I really enjoy, I have to say that I love being with younger people because of their attitude.

They are so positive and optimistic about life. They never make me feel I'm different because I'm older (Ann-Marie is 38) and our study group has a very good mix of ages from about 20 to 50.

"I've made a lot of new friends and when I was ill last year they were great, rallying around me and helping me out. My life is harder than it's ever been, but I'm enjoying it more than ever before."