Flyboybrad, I left education at Uni level and returned to it again, did the retail full time as well.
Retail is not an easy life , my advice would be get back into Education not just to have the extra "Plus Points" which as others are saying helps at selection stage. Even if is not directly relevant to a Pilot.
What happens if you fail your medical with something serious , your stuck with a 35,000 - 50,000 loan and no chance of flying. That is my concern, just a thought.
Good Luck ,
Jonathan