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At this time of year I always find myself getting restless. With that touch of September in the air, I start thinking up plans and projects to get me through the winter – and what better than to sign up for a course? I love the idea that one can learn new things, make discoveries, change direction. Education, to use the formal word, is a chance to grow – and growing is always good. With this in mind, we are taking a look at some fantastic work done by students (often the mature variety) from an A-Level course and an MA course. I’ve never been very interested in qualifications but what I find interesting is what the courses do for those who take part in them – pushed, stretched, stimulated, challenged – they seem to blossom. And, as ever, it’s the completing of a body of work that really counts. That’s when the real buzz kicks in. Even if you don’t embark on a formal course, it’s a good time to take stock of where you are photographically – and then decide where you want to be. Is there a project you’ve had in mind but haven’t completed? Is there a technique you’ve been meaning to get round to, or a new style of printing you want to try? Then why not get together with a fellow photographer (or a few) and set yourselves some targets? Failing that, tell everyone you know that you’re starting a project and you’re going to finish it by Christmas – that way, you’ll lose face if you don’t do it, but if you do complete it, you’ve got a ready made audience (and a few Christmas presents solved). And yes, I admit it, I’m doing all of these things at once. Something should come out of it, shouldn’t it? Let me know how you get on and I’ll wait for the avalanche of submissions in the new year. Good luck.