ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: My manic Monday starts with Sacred Irish Music - my first lecture of the week and one of my favourites. A two-hour drive from Carrickmacross wakes me up and engages my brain for a subject that combines music, sociology, politics and history.

It's my final year of a music degree - after a break of six years. It's been a while since I've focused on learning.

My second lecture of the morning is another pet subject - music therapy. When I left college six years ago it wasn't an option. I'm glad to be finishing my degree now instead of then: the choices are manifold, as are the changes. All the students are driving to college now and everybody has e-mail addresses. It's amazing how Maynooth has evolved in just six years. It mirrors Ireland, I think.

At lunchtime, I retreat to the music rooms to play piano. I love the atmosphere of the university - there is immense calm in these old buildings. In the afternoon I'm faced with more difficult lectures, the music of Henry Purcell and romantic harmony. It's in these classes I'm reminded that I've been out of academic circulation for a while, but my lecturers give me the second-year notes.

I finished second year in 1996 with a Eurovision win in Oslo, and spent that summer promoting the song. I returned in the autumn to resume my studies and found that it was impossible to accommodate the old routine. That's when I decided to defer. Six years of travelling, performing, writing, marrying, and housebuying later, I finally got back to finish my degree. It's been a constant goal since I left. I'm very glad to be back.

My six years have taught me to appreciate university. I now realise that two 11-week semesters are tiny portions of a life - it's worth giving it your all.

I have Tuesdays off to deal with work. I've just signed a publishing deal with George Martin and if I need to travel to London for that, I go on a Tuesday. I also use that time for press interviews and promotional work for my album, Through the Lens of a Tear. It's been released in 11 countries already.

Being back at college is feeding my career, too. The source material I come across is giving me plenty of ideas for future projects.

Monday evening is Choral Society night at Maynooth. I try to get along because it's so enjoyable. Students from all faculties get together to produce a choral work for the end of the year - this year it's Elgar. Sometimes my workload is too great and I have to go home and study.

I have an apartment in Dublin where my husband and I stay from Monday to Friday and can study. When I'm finished, I can close it all away and relax. Strangely, the one thing that helps me to relax is music! I love John Martin, Bjork and the Frames. I'm amazed by all the talent out there. I'm glad it breaks through the unoriginal material that's floating around. That said I do like mainstream pop - I'm a big fan of the Sugababes.

I don't get out much during the week - there's too much going on. I'm focused on getting a good degree this year. Having a plan that extends as far as next year is a real breakthrough! I get to bed soon after study finishes. It's all about work and study these days. I think I can live with that.

In conversation with Louise Holden