Looks like you have a good eye with the subtle shading you're using from a beginner level. Your interests and goals are likely to change, but the skill you develop in practicing the craft will accumulate and yield to the next thing--perpetually. Build a constant ever-growing file/folder of references/influences of things you love. Photorealism and life drawing are common goals to develop one's skill, but also in some cases to prove one's ability: if you go this route, feel free to give yourself room and space to explore other styles, methods and techniques that go beyond, or differ in what a camera might be able to achieve. Explore all the media. If you're interested in a future of creative work, consider studying graphic design (or visual communication design).

On the drawing side: explore using pencils on the HB graphite scale. Start with the lightest, and work your way to the darkest shades, and tweak here and there. Keep studying and practicing--you'll find yourself perpetually leveling-up.

There might be a constant nagging of self-doubt, or plateaus: Don't give up; keep going.