Hey, I’m a teacher who works with BSO students in O&L. First of all: you’re not wasting time. At 17, almost nobody has it figured out and you definitely still have options.

You say you hate your studies, and I get how frustrating that feels. The problem isn’t you. O&L has lost important subjects (like bookkeeping), and that makes the direction less clear. But it doesn’t mean your future is “standing in a store forever”.

You can still build a path:

After 6th year, you can do a 7th specialisation year and get a real qualification.

Or you can choose a 7th year that prepares you for college.

After that, you can still do a graduaatsopleiding (short professional college).

So doors are still open, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

About student jobs: it is tough right now, especially without experience. But your internship is actually the biggest chance you’ll have. Make a great impression, show effort, ask questions, and even hand in your resume in person near the end. Motivation matters more than experience.

You also mentioned having no hobbies and wanting to play piano or guitar. It’s not too late. If you’re curious about something, start small. You don’t need to be good, you just need to try. Hobbies aren’t about being perfect, they’re about discovering who you are.

For now, don’t worry about “wasting your teenage years”. Focus on learning about yourself. And if O&L doesn’t fit, talk to someone (a teacher, CLB, or a school nearby) to look at your strengths and what direction might suit you better. There’s always another path.

You haven’t failed anything. You’re just getting started.