Tracey

Staying connected and confident: Tracey’s learning journey has benefited her wellbeing 

‘It’s not just about keeping up – it’s about staying connected, staying capable and staying confident in our changing world.’

At the age of 61, and after not working for a couple of years, Tracey, a married mother-of-one, decided to return to education – and she hasn’t looked back! Living in London since 1987, she recently enrolled on an AI Prompt Engineering course at New City College. What began as a way to update her digital skills has turned into one of the most empowering experiences of her life.  

What made you decide to return to education? 

Because I hadn’t worked for a couple of years, I really started to feel like I was falling behind with technology. AI is moving so fast that I thought if I didn’t get on board now, I’d miss the chance to keep up with the skills that are needed. I was nervous at first because going back to education after so long felt daunting. But once I started, I settled in really well. The people were friendly, the tutor was excellent, and I came away feeling much more confident in my abilities. 

How has returning to study made a difference in your life? 

It’s made a huge difference – not just to my skills, but to my confidence and wellbeing. Before I started studying, I was spending a lot of time at home alone, and it was getting me down. Having a reason to go out, to meet new people and learn something new, has really lifted my spirits. I feel more positive, more sociable, and more confident than I have in years. Adult education has been a real boost to my mental health. To anyone not sure, I’d say go for it. It’s a fun thing to do and it’s very sociable. You never know what doors it might open – not just professionally but in your personal life too. 

Have you been able to use what you’ve learned outside of college? 

Yes, I’m using my new skills already. I’m involved in my local church, and I’ve been able to use prompt engineering to help develop scheduling tools that organise volunteers and support people during services. It’s been rewarding to see that what I’ve learned has made a practical difference in my community. 

Why do you think adult learning is so important for society? 

Adult education is essential for the country’s future. Technology, especially AI, is moving rapidly and older generations can easily fall behind. People need opportunities to keep their skills up-to-date, not just for work, but to stay active and engaged members of society, right into retirement. Without funding for adult learning, many people wouldn’t be able to study on courses like this, and that would be bad for everyone. For me, coming back to learning has been transformative. It’s not just about keeping up – it’s about staying connected, staying capable, and staying confident in our changing world. I believe everyone deserves that opportunity.