I just turned 18 and I have a lot of doubts...

Seun

So, I've always been told to study hard so I could get a job where I get paid good. I got interested in programming so my parents suggested me to be a software engineer. But reality is, I don't like that kind of job. I've always been someone passionate about arts, dance and sports. (My dream since I was a kid was to become a professional dancer or just work in something related to it. I also like cinematography and photography, wich I'm learning by myself right now. I can draw and I do some digital drawings etc.) The thing is I don't feel like I want to go to college. At least not for what I'm supposed to go study. I've got the grades and all to apply for engineering but I don't want to spend 5-6 years of my life studying something that I don't feel that passionate about. My mom said that if I studied that then I could study whatever I wanted after, and that I could keep doing the things I like as a hobby, but I'm scared I end up unhappy. I feel like I could use that time to get better on my abilities and maybe do something with them to earn my money? I tried to tell her I don't want to study that but she said later I will regret it when I see I have no money since I want to travel the world.

Anyone that works in anything related of the things I mentioned (dance, photography, graphic arts, engineering etc.) That could tell me what was it for you?

Or what's your opinion on what I could do? I know for everyone is different. But I want to know from experiences because statistics are just that.

Thanks for any information you can give me. 😊