I’m a 32M currently studying dentistry in the UK and, if everything goes to plan, I’ll graduate at 35. Lately I’ve been struggling a lot mentally with the feeling that I’m just… really late compared to everyone else. Most dentists I see graduate around 23–25. By the time I qualify I’ll be about 10 years behind. I know logically that 35 isn’t old, but emotionally it still feels depressing sometimes. Like I wasted a lot of my life. To be honest, I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger. I didn’t work very hard and I started things late. I don’t have any other degree or career to show for my 20s. This dentistry degree will basically be the first real achievement of my life. The situation is a bit unusual because I actually started dentistry before and completed two years, but I had to leave due to family reasons. Now I’ve returned and I have three years left to finish. So if all goes well, I’ll graduate at 35. The positive side is that my family is supporting me and my tuition is covered, so I won’t graduate with student debt. My plan isn’t anything crazy career-wise either — I just want to do bread-and-butter dentistry as a general dentist and have a stable life. I’m also single and not married. Ideally I’d like to get married maybe toward the end of my education or a few years after graduating once life is more stable. But mentally I keep comparing myself to people who are already established in their careers in their late 20s or early 30s. It makes me feel like I wasted so much time and I’m starting life 10 years behind everyone else. Has anyone else started a career this late or later? How did you deal with the feeling that you’re behind in life? submitted by /u/ProfessionalSyrup882
Originally posted by u/ProfessionalSyrup882 on r/AskMen
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