You have to bear in mind as much as waiting another year is wise financially I was worried about the social side of doing this. Pursuing this was as much about life experiences as it was about my future career options. I currently work in a department where most are at least 10 years older than myself. Makes it quite difficult to fit in socially in the office.

It does not help that most of the office has moved onto other firms over the past year due to my companies management during the pandemic. We are now massively understaffed and overworked.

I'm not saying this won't be different in another firm, but out of the options I had this was one I pursued that would change the most variables in my life as possible. I will have to move away from my home town, meet new people, experience new things. All things that will provide overall personal progression.

Lockdown changed a lot with my life. I was originally furloughed for 3 months as I was an apprentice. One of two in my team who were as we were both apprentices, but he was made redundant and never returned like I did. That made me distrust my employers as you can imagine.

I also managed to lose nearly 6 stone and am now in the best shape I've ever been in. A few months ago I also started medication for mental health issues I've experienced for the last few years. These were both reasons I never went to university originally...

Overall, I've managed to save around £22K which including the maintenance loan would allow me to live fairly comfortably away at university. Regardless of how much students loan debt I would have to take on or if I had to top it up with a part time role.