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

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This is something I'm drawn to. I don't know anyone who is a solicitor to ask questions in real life! Can I ask you a few questions please?

What qualifications did you study?

What personal attributes do you think are needed?

What's a typical day like for you?

Thank you :)

@ThunderLeafI did a law and sociology degree then a Legal Practice Course followed by a 2 year traineeship. I believe it’s different now as the legal practice course has (I think replaced) by a course called the SQE. You can also do an apprenticeship now I think. I qualified over 20 years ago.
Resilience and organisation are important skills, as is an ability to look at things objectively.
My day now is very different to my early days as a solicitor when I often assisted but now have my own caseload. The day varies according to type of law. I’m family law. A typical week will involve speaking to potential new clients, letters, emails, drafting, making applications or advising next steps. Networking can be important. I also help or advise more junior members of the team. Not as much time in court as you might think but that’s me as I try to avoid court by using other ways, but some family lawyers are in court a lot. The job can vary a lot according to area of law. Wills, probate (private client) lawyers generally don’t go to court or have opponents.

I would seek training to understand domestic pets and behaviour in order to cat/dog sit (because I dont think AI can meet a precious pets's physical and emotional needs). I would suggest that they need a presence and physical contact. I would love to back up this with education - any financial assistance would be fabulous!

I’d love to learn the guitar. I started 10 years ago and stopped when I had my daughter but would love to go back to it and have lessons

I want to learn how to carve wood. There's a wood turner locally that runs classes, making bowls and lampstands.

Also chess. I love the idea of a complex game you can play with anyone from anywhere in the world even if you don't share the language.

I’d love to take a degree in English Language, Classics, or Creative Writing. I got steered towards science at school, but my talent and enthusiasm was definitely more on the creative side of things.

I would love to learn how to do wood turning too, love working with wood - currently training in carpentry but wood carving is on another level.

slightly random but I've always wanted to learn Latin - I love roman history and think its a great starting block to so many other romance languages. Can't really justify using the time for something that will have no practical benefit to my life atm but hopefully in the future!

Also would love to learn some really practical skills like tiling/plastering etc - because finding a tradie that will actually turn up, let alone provide anything like a reasonable quote, is driving me to distraction! (and for the women can do anything element!)

I would love to go back to uni as a mature student and study Podiatry!

I would really like to do the PRINCE2 Foundation qualification for aspiring Project Managers to further my career after having my children. With 2 kids and the rising cost of living, I simply can't afford it. This would pay for more than half the tuition cost so I could start the course.

I would like to speak more languages.

Being a creative writing tutor - in fact if I win the prize draw I will start tomorrow, no joke!

I'd like to retrain as a counsellor, and also learn to offer reiki and crystal healing 🔮

Congratulations @rainbowsparkle28 you are the winner of this discussion!

@EllieSmumsnet do people not need to comment on the competition threads to win?

only asking as I always comment but i noticed the winner of this comp hasn’t made a comment, so if we only need to answer the poll I’ll start doing that 👍🏻

The poster who won is on page 2 at the top.

Ah thanks…I’ll keep trying then 😁