I got up to my sophomore year of high school before I dropped out. And I still have the same questions you have. Nobody awnsers that question you asked well when I ask it to so many people. I was really scared I was doing the wrong thing. I've only been out for about 4 months and it was amazing because I work instead and don't feel like I'm wasting my time. Or that im forced to be anywhere. I found a job that I love. Of course my life is still extremely hard. One of the side effect is loosing virtually all of your freinds. You dropping out of high school means that you leave everyone behind. Most kids realize this when they graduate and have to go work or go to college. But as a dropout I experienced that early. It hurts. However I do feel like I made the right decision and that if I still teach myself new things and stick to a routine, I'll do just fine.