I was used to getting very good grades and being top of the class whilst doing absolutely no work until the end of GCSEs. That meant that when A levels rolled round I didn't really have any idea how to work or revise or anything - I was basically an inefficient worker. Natural talent helped me do well in some subjects, but in others (most notably chemistry, which I didn't like anyway), it led to very average marks which weren't good enough for medicine.
I think I did go insane a few times
I don't know, I didn't do anything consciously...I just kept telling myself that if I could get a 2:1 I'd eventually get where I wanted to be. Luckily that's what did happen.
There were certainly many moments during my previous degree when I felt totally disengaged and bored beyond belief. I really enjoyed my university experience and loved my uni...but the degree itself? Not so much. Mind you, things did pick up by final year when we had some interesting modules, I got to pick my dissertation topic etc. But the first 2 years were pretty rough at times.
No.
Not in the slightest. It is the norm in the USA for medics to graduate at 26 since all medical courses are graduate entry over there. Even here if you don't get in the first time at 18, take a gap year then do medicine with an intercalated degree you'll graduate at 25...which is the same age as a graduate entry medic who goes into medicine straight after their first degree.
Considering we'll all be working till we're 68 anyway, I don't see what difference it makes whether you start at 23 or 26 frankly.
Mostly savings and help from family.