Lorna Harth always had an "unquenchable thirst for learning" and was an avid reader but looking after 7 children tended to dominate her priorities.

That was until she saw her own daughter - now aged 22 - graduate with a Nursing degree from CQU in 2005.

"That was really the inspiration. My daughter said if she could succeed then I could too," Ms Harth said.

STEPS graduates celebrate Rocky 'rollercoaster' ride

Despite having 4 children still at home, aged 8 to 17, she enrolled in the 6-month extended STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) program at CQU Rockhampton and completed her final assessment this week in time to attend the STEPS Celebration of Learning and Graduation.

And despite leaving school around 25 years ago - at the end of Year 8 - she maintained HDs throughout her program.

"I never planned to have kids and to marry so young. I always intended to continue my education," she said.

Ms Harth has made one other big change to her life. She's abandoned her reputation as a "clean freak" at home.

"I've learnt that the crumbs eventually walk themselves out of the house thanks to the ants."

She is now looking forwards to bachelor degree studies in social work or environmental science at CQU, starting next year.