I think you'll see a lot of bitterness in the replies -- many men (especially) feel this way when they see that their opportunities are not all they are cracked up to be. I too was bright but did not like school -- as the years have gone by I have become more arrogant than ever -- I think school is broken, unfortunately, and the skills needed to excel there have nothing to do with what's needed to make a contribution and live a good life. A college degree is very helpful for many things, so go ahead and get it. But the best education, of course is the thing that expands the mind and heart, that connects you with the great rivers of learning and compassion that humanity has contributed to and drunk from for thousands of years. You have already learned that the road of schooling in our country travels a good many miles from these rivers, and rather takes the road of indoctrination into conformity and vocational training. That's the rant, here's the essence: Do what you have to do to keep the wolf from the door, but never forget that it is your real, your inner life that makes it all worthwhile. Pursue that uncompromisingly, stay open to other people and try to make a contribution to the world, don't be dazzled with promises of opportunity or depressed at their apparent scarceness. Life always presents new turns, challenges, excitements and interests. If you stay open to life and pursue it with zeal, you will not turn bitter like some of the other posters here.