I look back now at school and college and wish i wasnt pushed towards the accademic side of things... it really didnt cut it for me and is mainly why i never went to uni...
In a way i wish i was not accedemically minded (ie i wish i was thick ) and had been told my only options were 'motor vehicle' or manual work ie plumbing, building etc.
these options were never given to me, had they have been and had i actually realised you can earn a very good wage by fixing cars or installing heating in someones house then i would have jumped at the chance!
Even now if i could afford to live of 8k a yr (NEEEEEEEEVER gonna happen) i would happily jack in my job and become a mechanic, plumber, or anything that was hands on!