Congats
I’m impressed. So glad you found a way to fulfill your dream. Don’t worry about the younger kids, you have an advantage over them, and you know what you want, that is hugh. Good luck.
How I did it: I dropped out of college for more than 5 years. I was studying abroad on a governmental scholarship. My scholarship was suspended because they will not cover extra year of my studies. Here where the problem started. I was stopped during the middle of my studies. I came back home shocked, depressed, and in denial that it was happening to me. It was impossible to afford my studies not even for one semester. There is only one university in my country that offers my major Engineering but they won't accept me because my high school degree is old and I must do high school again in order to get accepted in the university as freshman.
I was very depressed. I didn't know what do. I have no choice but to pay expensive tuition to study something I don't like (business, etc). In the meantime I worked from receptionist, Admin Assistant to HR officer. I remember I used to cry at work (in bathroom) or in my room because this is not what I want to do in my life.
So I decided to save my money and change my life. So I went to Russia because it was affordable and spent 9 months there. But the education quality was disappointing so I returned back home.
Soon I learned there was American university in Europe which it would be the "perfect" school for me. International flavor, high academic standards, participate in research, low ration students to teachers, financial support. It wasn't easy to get in that university. They were impressed with my application but I had to earn higher SAT scores to compete with other teenage students. I took SAT 3 times until I finally got accepted which means I got accepted after one year since I applied.
It seems like a dream to me. It always seemed to me that I will end up miserably in HR career which I am good at but I don't like. Now I will be doing Mathematics and hope to pursue career in Engineering in two years from now.
My only concern now is that I will be studying along with students that I am 10 years older than them. It is small university and it seems I am the only adult student there :/
Lessons & tips: Never give up!