If you could learn anything new, what would it be?

[EllieSmumsnet]

Juggling work, family, and everything in between can make studying feel challenging but if you had the chance, what would you love to learn? Maybe it’s a career change, a new skill, or just something you’ve always been curious about.

We know how hard it can be to find time for yourself, so as a little incentive, everyone who joins this thread by 21/04/2025 will have the chance to win £250 to put towards your studies to help make it a little easier. Whether you need study gadgets, coffee credit, textbooks, or even a bit of childcare support.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

BSL 👐
Oh - and the piano!

To throw a pot then use raku to decorate it.

Dance!

The saxophone.

I'd like to learn to play the piano.

British Sign Language.

i wish Duo Lingo offered it.

I have a deaf friend and would love for her not to have to work so hard lip reading all the time, and it would be so useful in my community volunteering work.

The courses are expensive.

How to make pebble mosaics for my garden so that the squirrels can't steal my stones.

Learn a language

So many ideas, I love learning something new.

I'm learning a language on Duolingo and currently doing an online IT course but someone on this thread mentioned hairdressing and that would be so useful. I tried cutting the children's hair when they were small and I was rubbish! This prize would be wonderful.

I’d like to learn to play the drums and speak Spanish.

Professionally, I’d love to do a midwifery degree.

I've just booked my first piano lesson - I'm 64 and have wanted to play since I was a teenager.

I'd also like to learn about art history. I often browse art history degrees and courses on the Web but the cost puts me off.

How to write a book.

Me too but I have arthritis in my thumbs and think I'd struggle to play unfortunately. 😫

Piano , French
I.t tech

I'd like to learn how to ballroom dance. DD has been learning at school and I'm a bit jealous!
I'm learning French on duolingo and although my expressive language isn't progressing much, my understanding is, which is mainly why I wanted to learn.

I wanted to learn a new profession so I did that last year, and changed my career entirely.

I'd love to learn how to make my own clothes. I can knit and crochet I just need to devote a little time and headspace to it. There are also courses on offer in my town so I will do it soon!

To learn to play the piano and to speak fluent French

Dog grooming - I'd love this as a career

To learn to play the flute and to speak fluent French, Also to learn how to paint. And how to write a book. Not much! 😁

I know someone who left her job and then trained as a dog groomer and set up her own business. It was a huge career change but she's not sorry she made it.

I really need to brush up on my exotics cpd. I'm a vet and I've had 2 chinchillas and a ferret come to see me this week! Would love to do an online course next month

I want to improve my Spanish as my primary school is switching from French so I'd like a bit of background as I feel way out of my depth teaching a language I don't speak.

I would love to learn the saxophone. 😄

A Bushcraft course to complement my forest school training. Then I can help teach these skills to my learners. This would benefit 100s of young people over the next few years.

Bricklaying. I dream of having a walled garden!