Hey there,
Firstly I just want to say that it is amazing that you're looking for a fresh start and still aiming to work towards your goals; that demonstrates a lot of strength and it's a great attitude to start university - I understand it's not easy at all.
I didn't have the best education path in my teenage years, and a lot of factors led to me never really completing college thus not being able to get into uni. I worked full time for a few years but it gave me a lot of time to reflect and think about what I want and what is best for me. I was 20 when I went back to college to get my UCAS points so I could enter university, and I was 21 when I started. I was really anxious about going back, as I was worried everyone would be so different to me if they were younger. I was delighted to see that this wasn't the case at all! So many students were around my age, and even if they were a bit younger it didn't really matter - you're on the same course, meaning you probably have the same interests goals etc. There is even students even older, and you soon realise 21 is still really young!
I get the worry about not being qualified as soon as your peers, I don't think i'll be in my 'desired' career path until i'm almost 30. But, I know I can demonstrate that i'm determined and I am putting the work in with work experience, studying etc. with a more focused mind than if I was 18 starting university - I know I wouldn't have cared as much then as I do now. In a way this can make you a stronger candidate for future employers. And to be honest, a lot of students will take gap years during or after their degree so they'll probably be a similar age when they are fully qualified too. I think it's quite rare students will finish their degree and be able to walk straight into their dream job anyway, it's pretty normal that we will have to do graduate level jobs first before becoming a true working professional. There's no time limit at all, I know people who have returned back to education in their 40's and smashed it to achieve their goals - I don't know about you but I don't think thats a bad thing at all and well done to them!
It's good to focus on what is important right now, and worry about the future when you get to it
I hope this makes you feel a bit more supported with your decision - you can do it and you're not alone
Best wishes,
Lauren -Official Student Rep