I am 21 years old, with an unfinished degree in CS, and for this past year all I could think about was trying for a mathematics degree.
I was miserable at my previous university for many reasons and hated the coding subjects in our program, but I always enjoyed the mathematical ones. Now after quitting, all I can think about is becoming a mathematician, to do research and hopefully teach at some place and I simply cannot imagine any other profession for myself.
Two worries essentially prevent me from acting on this impulse — that I am too old to start from scratch at this point and that I am simply not fit for mathematics as a profession. The first one is pretty self-explanatory: if I were to for it, I would probably only be able to start next year, by which time I will be 22. Add to that 3-4 years of bachelor, 2 years of master and I would probably not be able to start PhD work untl I'm 28-29, assuming I've successfully make it that far. Meanwhile, the median age for most bachelor graduates is probably something like ~22, with most getting their PhDs by ~27 and I feel very threatened and outclassed by this. My other worry is that I'm not simply fit for the profession — I feel like I'm not a particularly good problem solver and, in my mind, solving problems is the cornerstone of mathematics. I have a good memory and retain theory pretty well, but I consistently have trouble applying it (I usually can't solve more than half the exercises after each chapter in a textbook and whenever I actually solve any, I feel like it was too easy and even a dunce could do it). To summarise, I am worried that I have simply convinced/talked myself into wanting this and that if I do go for it, I will run into a dead-end, not having achieved anything remotely of note, trying unsuccessfully to make it in a profession for which I do not have the aptitude, while younger and more talented people reach heights unattainable to me.
I honestly am not so sure what I'm asking here. I suppose I'm looking for some kind of advice on how to proceed, from those of you who maybe started late in this field and had serious doubts about the whole thing, but still managed to make something of yourself.
Best Answer
I am in my 30s and about to get my B.S. with high honors and currently applying to PhD programs.
I am not good at math, it is very challenging to me and that is also why I enjoy it so much. Like you I have asked this question many times, and waited years thinking I was too old.
There will be moments of doubt as you will be surrounded by incredibly talented people younger than you are... For the rest of your life, you will always feel that you might be "too old" or "not smart enough." Do not fall for this common feeling and trap. Do what you wish and do it with integrity and honesty. Otherwise, you will live with regret, which is far worse than failure.
No one here can advice you whether Math is right or wrong for you, and I understand this fear all too well. You must decide for yourself.