Wasted my life away and need advice

I know that by saying i feel like i've 'wasted my life away' sounds rather cliché, but do hear me out.

Okay, so I have finished University and obtained a petty average degree; 2:2 in Law.
Rewind my life 3 years ago before I even considered going into University (it was literally a last minute decision), I would NEVER have thought that I would be doing LAW. I never studied it prior or anything.

At A-Levels i studied Drama, History and Psychology. Random combination to jump to Law, right?

I had a huge interest in performing arts/acting wise after nailing an A in Drama GCSE, and a B at A-level studies in it. I would have loved to pursue something out of this, but my father persuaded me that it's just a hobby and fantasy thing, and that I should focus on a 'proper' career. He directed me to Law as it's a well respected degree I guess.

Anyway, i seemed to grasp Year 1 and 2 relatively well and got 60s and 70s marks. But messed up big in Year 3 - so i landed with a 2:2. Making my life MORE difficult than needs be.
It's at this point that I wished that I just went with my gut instinct and just went with something that I enjoy - i realise that i'm a practical person, not an office type. I just want to get back to expressing myself through performance.

What i'm asking for advice for is; what is the next step for me? I know that Student finance won't fund a second degree, and I understand that Central School of Speech and Drama offer short-courses, but is that sufficient enough to go somewhere with it?

Bearing in mind I am 21, if anyone is wondering - but i already feel that the clock is ticking to choose a destiny of where my career path will go. All sensible replies appreciated.

Thanks for reading!
Zaine.

I agree with what Ryan said and I'd suggest that you try and get as much acting and performance experience as you can. I know a few people who have joined amateur groups as adults and are now making a living from acting.

As for courses look around and see what different ones are available at different drama schools. Short courses may not get you fully where you want to be, but they would most likely equip you with valuable skills, experience and contacts. You mention Central so I am assuming that you are either in London or able to get there. If you are there is the Poor School that you could look into as they do actor training for adults which I think works out a lot cheaper than drama school training. Also, I have looked into Oxford School of Drama. They do a one year course that is accredited and you can get a 24+ learning loan for it (which you can get even if you have a degree already) so this may be something for you to consider in the future. Alternatively, you could look into doing an MA in Acting (although I don't know what the costs and funding options are).

Hope this helps