I started training for the PPL back in 2005 at age 16, slowly but steadily chugging away at it through to 2007. I did my cross country, my simulator training, my forced approach and landing training, my spin and stall recovery, ground school...pretty much everything with at LEAST 40 hours in the airplane. Then I took off to university with the self-promise that I would complete everything duirng christmas break, which dragged on to spring break, then summer break...until I pretty much forgot about the whole thing. Stupid, I know. And abusive of my privileges, I know.
Anyways, I've recently become determined to finish what I've started, hoping to do so this May when school comes to an end and I'm back home. I've noticed my student permit has expired back in 2009. So my question is, what is the most cost effective way I can approach this? I know I'm going to have to do the ground school again, but what does my "break" mean for my in-air training? Is there some sort of check-ride I can do that can reinstate my student permit so that I can re-perfect my inflight skills? Did I pass some sort of training time limit? I don't feel I've forgotten much of the procedure and think that my placement back in the cockpit will come to me as naturally as if I flew yesterday...
Anyone else experienced something similar to me?

Thanks for all replies

Do you still have your logbook and PTR?

I've noticed my student permit has expired back in 2009

No problem. Get another medical, the FTU can issue you another SPP on the spot if you have your PSTAR test results. If you have lost that, you may have to write the PSTAR again.

Did I pass some sort of training time limit?

Nope, hours are hours and are good for life.

I know I'm going to have to do the ground school again

Not necessarily. You're going to have to review the material and write the written (now computer) test.

what does my "break" mean for my in-air training?

Your new instructor will want to read your PTR and review lessons. It should come back.

Anyways, don't panic! Most important thing you can do is dig up your paperwork (PTR, logbook - get it certified if possible - PSTAR results), renew your medical, and get a new instructor to help you get up to speed again.

You aren't the first person to do this! It is very common for people to take some flight training, then get distracted by life for 5 or 10 years, then come back to it again.

I had a 6 year break myself.

My flight school had me rewrite the PSTAR, and I'd recommend doing the same as you'll need to know everything on it and it's a short test anyways.

Given the break I had to redo a lot of my training, and weather kept breaking things up so it took that many more hours too. After your first few flights your instructor should be able to give you a good idea of how much you'll need to redo, but expect it to be more than just 5 or 10 hours given the break between.

If you're good with self study then there's no need to redo groundschool. I just reread some of the books and got a 98% on my written. There's some great free practice exams here http://www.aerotraining.com/ - check with the flight school as they may allow you to sit in for free on their ground school too (especially if you did your first one there). You can redo it if you want, or use www.pilottraining.ca as well.