At 18, you are just about beginning to understand how the world really works/operates. At this time, focus should be to learn whatever you find yourself doing. Every single experience, good or bad, will help you grow up. At 13, my father suggested I learn typing. Computers were not prevalent at that time. I did it because he suggested and the typewriter training school was not too far from where we lived. A few years on, it has helped me in my software career. Small thing but trust me, I have seen folks struggle with typing !! With so many things evolving around you, keeping an open mind, avoiding distractions (social media, TVs, addictions to name a few), and avoiding judging (it narrows your world view) are very important. We do not realize how the minutes spent on social media add up to hours, days and even months if not years. Stay very aware of this slippery slope. There is going to be a high churn in your thought process; you may want do one thing now and then realize there is something else that interests you. It is very natural and necessary as well. Continuing to strengthen your learning mindset, which is what schooling may have helped you develop is going to be the key to your continued success. I am happy to discuss further with you; feel free to reach out. Good luck. PS - No one can assure the outcome; so to have patience and persistence in fair weather only is detrimental.