Ellen Kerslake, 17, and Audrey Dargan, 86, both believe the momentum of study is what will keep them, physically and mentally, from becoming idle.

Ellen graduated from year 12 in Brisbane last year and has recently started a bachelor of biomedical science at the University of Canberra.

The undergraduate degree is the first in a series of steps Ellen will take over the next 10 years to achieve her dream career of becoming a doctor, a profession she has been engrossed by since she was a child.

"Growing up my mum's side of the family – we're Chinese so there are a lot of doctors – they would tell me these stories of them meeting new patients and working new cases and being in the hospital life," Ellen said.

"That was so intriguing because it just sounded so exciting and fulfilling – to cure someone, or bring someone back to life."

Ellen succumbed to the understanding that at least 10 years of committed study would earn her a qualification as a medical specialist – not that it took much coaxing.

"I thought if I do a gap year I'm going to get in the habit of lazing around and having a relaxing time and so when I go back into study it's going to be this whole new shock," Ellen said.

"I want to get straight into it and make the most of it while I can; that's what I'm used to."

Audrey said this outlook is one thing she shares with Ellen.

After graduating from the Australian National University last year with a master's degree , Audrey will continue her education this year with a course in Latin.

"Your mind gets used to certain processes and Ellen didn't want to have a gap year and that's the reason I wanted to come back," Audrey said.

"When you relax and watch the tennis, as I have, all the momentum goes away."

Dropping out of school at 16 years of age was something Audrey said she always felt guilty about.

At 80, she started a university degree and received her first high distinction.

This year, she hoped to continue with intermediate and then advanced Latin so she would be able to read writings by Cicero and other Latin writers in their original form.

"Latin is a reading language, it's a literary language … It used to be popular but people have thought it is a dead language, but it's anything but," she said.

"It's a very eloquent language."

Although Audrey jokingly admitted she questioned her sanity going back to study again this year, she said she enjoyed the vitality of her university peers.

"In the classroom you get all the energy of the young, and also they don't take life quite so seriously … The other students probably think I'm a bit eccentric, but they're really supportive."