> "I ended up graduating at 25 with a degree in computer science years behind everyone else. For a long time I regretted this because everyone I worked for was

> "I ended up graduating at 25 with a degree in computer science years behind everyone else. For a long time I regretted this because everyone I worked for was far younger than me (18-22). I then wasted several years in graduate school, which I didn't finish because it wasn't my thing, and then wasted several more years drinking at bars for no reason other than boredom. I regretted everything for a long time wondering who I'd be if I was a social person, better in high school, did more things, was more popular, etc. I still have these regrets." Honestly, you've done a really great job to make it to graduation at 25 by persevering. For many people, it's really not easy to stay as an undergraduate at an older age (it's much easier to drop out), then still make it to graduation. Then you got into graduate school, at the same time as taking longer to graduate. That kind of experience gives a lot of non-traditional students hope. Even the time spent drinking at bars is just time spent normally to many. It's a natural response to take time off, after working for so long as you've written. It's a great thing that you persevered and made it to graduation.