What are some success stories of people who didn't go to college?

Hey, I'm really stressing about my future and the whole college process. Anyone have any uplifting stories about people who didn't go to college and still managed to be successful? I could really use some positivity!

Absolutely, it's important to remember that while college can be a great path for many, it isn't the only path to success. There's a wide array of individuals who have achieved great things without a traditional college education.

One such individual is Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, which comprises over 400 companies. Branson struggled with dyslexia and dropped out of school at 16, but this didn't deter him from launching his first business: a mail-order record company called "Virgin". This grew into a record store, then a recording studio, and slowly but surely into the extensive conglomerate it is today.

On another front, Ellen DeGeneres, a beloved talk show host and comedian, never attended college. She held a series of jobs - from waiting tables, to house painting, to oyster shucking - before she began performing stand-up comedy in coffee houses. She eventually scored her own sitcom and later, a massively popular daytime talk show, proving that there isn't a single path to success in the entertainment industry.

In the tech world, we have Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. He was attending Harvard University when he started what would become Facebook but decided to drop out to continue developing the company. Of course, this path is not recommended for everyone, but it's an example of success outside the standard path.

All these people found success by charting their own paths and adapting to the opportunities and challenges that came their way.

Remember, these are exceptional stories, but they highlight that there are possibilities outside of a traditional college education. The key is finding something you're passionate about and working relentlessly towards it. Don't let the societal pressure of the "college path" bring you down if it's not for you. Plenty of people have found satisfying and successful careers through trades, entrepreneurship, the arts, and more!