Strayed from degree for entrepreneurship. Can I return on track?

[EpicFailure]

Hello everyone, I have a pretty serious problem.

Until 4 years ago, I was a straight-A student in the middle of an undergraduate degree in International Affairs/Economics at a quite prestigious European university.

I had a minor sports injury which severely affected my performance (due to chronic pain) and reduced my integrity to prepare for exams. To distract myself and breathe new air, I started a gap year and soon created a few businesses, which have brought me into various countries of the world, however neither of those initiatives was really related to my studies (internet marketing and tourism/entertainment) and, despite the great experience and exposure, they were ultimately a failure - in part due to my own loss of motivation.

The year after, I started working on a fixed contract basis for a big and famous company, though still somewhat unrelated to my degree (financial services), and after finishing there I realized that what really motivated me was to work in the field of the degree I had chosen to study: international relations, intl organizations, diplomacy/related, etc.

I would never go back in time, because during these years I have met wonderful people, learned a new language, and done things which I probably would have never done otherwise.

But the price was high: I will be graduating almost three years later than the normal duration of my degree and with grades which, while not being bad, probably do not meet the requirements to enter a good grad school or even an internship in the field I desire to work in (I was basically doing the exams during these two "gap years", self-studying and not going to lectures).

And all experiences I gained in these years "off track" are not formalized. There is no "certificate" for them (at least, not pleasant-looking ones...), no credentials.

I would appreciate any advice on how I could ultimately return to the career I had in mind.

For example, do you think I could/should write about all this in motivation letters despite not meeting the requirements of the places I apply to?

Won't everyone think that if I failed once, I will fail again?

[DustSNK]

Hello everyone, I have a pretty serious problem.

Until 4 years ago, I was a straight-A student in the middle of an undergraduate degree in International Affairs/Economics at a quite prestigious European university.

I had a minor sports injury which severely affected my performance (due to chronic pain) and reduced my integrity to prepare for exams. To distract myself and breathe new air, I started a gap year and soon created a few businesses, which have brought me into various countries of the world, however neither of those initiatives was really related to my studies (internet marketing and tourism/entertainment) and, despite the great experience and exposure, they were ultimately a failure - in part due to my own loss of motivation.

The year after, I started working on a fixed contract basis for a big and famous company, though still somewhat unrelated to my degree (financial services), and after finishing there I realized that what really motivated me was to work in the field of the degree I had chosen to study: international relations, intl organizations, diplomacy/related, etc.

I would never go back in time, because during these years I have met wonderful people, learned a new language, and done things which I probably would have never done otherwise.

But the price was high: I will be graduating almost three years later than the normal duration of my degree and with grades which, while not being bad, probably do not meet the requirements to enter a good grad school or even an internship in the field I desire to work in (I was basically doing the exams during these two "gap years", self-studying and not going to lectures).

And all experiences I gained in these years "off track" are not formalized. There is no "certificate" for them (at least, not pleasant-looking ones...), no credentials.

I would appreciate any advice on how I could ultimately return to the career I had in mind.

For example, do you think I could/should write about all this in motivation letters despite not meeting the requirements of the places I apply to?

Won't everyone think that if I failed once, I will fail again?

Might be a bit late seeing the date of post, but NO it is never too late to go back. never. I know the euro system is more rigid than the US for example. But can you take non-degree grad courses where you are? I have a rocky history myself, and it was a great experience for me doing this and I just got into a Uni when I was rejected by all last year. You will see lots of good advice on the forums on how to write about non-acedemic experience. Hope things worked out for you.