Is studying essential?

[sgboy97]

I know the title sounds a bit dumb and of course studying is essential, but the more I think of it, the more I have to ask ...

I'm 16 this year, currently studying in a secondary school. Not doing well academically, all the mumbo jumbo subjects and propaganda ******** subjects that I have to study. N levels are over, going to collect my results this week. I am at that particular area of life where I am exceptionally concerned for my future. I am stuck now. I really have no clue what I should take up or do next. I can't ask my parents or my brothers as they will definitely think conventionally and ask me to study.

I am running a small scale online clothing business currently, and previously have entered the kingdom of internet marketing. I am good with doing stuff online. I have been connected online and started using the computers heavily since I was 12 years old. And I don't mean spending my time playing online games like what most teens do, I actually run a few online community forums previously, and have done a lot of website flipping (buying & selling of websites). My knowledge in all these areas are pretty good, especially for a 16 year old I'd say. I have earned all my pocket allowance solely by transacting online. Just this year, I can safely say that I have earned a few thousand dollars online and soley online.

I really hate studying, its boring, the environment is boring, its killing me. I have never been good with my studies, but me online in the virtual world on the other hand, I can say I am a genius. I think of it this way, I want to start my own business and whatever I need to study isn't quite essential in my field. Like for example, if I need help designing the website for my business, I know of many virtual friends of mine who can help me do it for less than $100. I can outsource so many things, I don't see the point of studying, especially when you wanna get your degree and all that, spending tens of thousands to enroll into university and all that crap. I'd rather spend a few years (especially now since I am young) managing my own business, learning from it along the way. I think studying is only essential if you're looking to work for another company, where you need to show your qualifications and what not. But for my case, I do not plan to do so, I want to have my own company, I want to work for myself. If I ever need an accountant, I can just hire one for a fair 1-2k monthly, rather than studying accounting & finance and spending so many years learning and paying thousands to take up courses and learn. Or if I ever need a graphic designer for my business, I can just outsource online and find designers online to help me. I have done that before for my previous businesses and spent less than 100 dollars for a fair share of graphics. Once again, I myself do not need to spend years on Photoshop, reading up books and tutorials on how to do this and that. I'd rather pay a small sum of money and hire a pro to do it for me.

I am 16 this year, I really am unsure what I should do next year. Should I continue schooling? I really dread the environment. I honestly want to drop out and just continue managing my business. I am doing fairly well that my parents do not need to hand me any pocket allowance and I can very very comfortably survive thanks to my online businesses.

What would your advice to me be? I especially want to hear from people who have been there and done that. I know my thinking is very unconventional, but oh well, just wanted to see what kind of responses I can get here.

Please let me know, I am truly concerned as to what my next step of life should be, its really a make or break now.

Thanks

 

[Havok_ex]

16 is still a little too early to drop out. For now, you may be earning. But what if your venture fails? All you will have is a useless N level cert. Gonna be a bus driver? If I were you, I would at least take a local diploma first, so in case anything bad happens, you still have something to fall back on. And no accountant is gonna take 1-2k/mth to work for you my dear. 2.1-2.4 for dip holders. 3.2< for degree holders.

I myself am doing a little online biz on the side while I study. Granted I don't earn much, I flip vintage camera lenses/bodies. Sometimes I fix broken ones myself and sell at a profit. But I don't see myself doing this my entire life. I roughly earn around 50-200 for every item I flip. But the market is fluid and I sometimes sell at a loss because it sits in my dry box unsold for months.

Venturing into your own business is great, but you have to look at a few things. If you do this full-time, would you be able to earn 2-3k monthly to support yourself? How do you intend to expand? You don't expect to earn the same amount the entire life right?

Studying is hard and boring. If it was fun and easy everyone would score very well and no one would be forced to go to school. But you have to look at it in the long run how education will benefit you. My advice would be to work hard for you O-levels/ITE and get into a poly course that you have interest in. There are so many nowadays and there must be one that interests you.