I have to agree with Square Bear.. DEFIANTLY knock off your ATPL exams before you get into flying... The number of pilots I have come across hating life because they have had to put their flying on hold to complete their exams. A little stress now saves a lot of stress later on.
I'd say this is pretty solid advice especially if you are currently in a position that supports you doing it. There are lots of blokes up here at the moment, some with jobs, some not, but all that haven't done their ATPLs want to do them but are either working too much (a lot are doing 2 jobs) or struggling to find the motivation for other reasons (see you thursday at the Roey) or now they are on less money baulking at the cost.