<prompt> Human: Ill try to make this as brief and concise as possible.I am 17, and due to a disagreement with my father, I am currently renting a room albeit illegally, I believe, as I cannot sign a lease at my age for 400 a month in a not-so-nice part of town.I am working 25-40 hours per week as a chef at a local restaurant, making 10hour and taking home usually 300-400 per week.I acquired my GED at 16, and have been working fulltime since then. I attempted to attend a local community college for a while, as it is my dream to eventually obtain a degree in Organic Chemistry, but a single three-credit class cost me 750. I do not qualify for financial aid, due to the fact that I am legally my fathers dependent, regardless of my actual income, and so cannot afford tuition at the moment.Due to life circumstances that seem to keep popping up, and the bills I have, I cant seem to save any money at all. Im terrified that Im going to be stuck working a dead end job for the rest of my life, living paycheck to paycheck.Could some of you older, wiser people please give me advice?  <response>: 12 yrs ago I was a 17 yr old that had been kicked out after my mother had a schitzophrenic episode. All I can tell you is things get better. No matter how desperate, alone, and scared you might feel know that your future is bright and full of possibilities.I got to a very dark place and tried to overdose on Tylenol PM. To this day, I have no idea how I am alive. I woke up half way through my episode and tried to walk but fell so I dragged myself to the toilet where I tried to make myself vomit. I then passed out on the floor and woke up 15 hrs later. Thank the heavens that I didnt die and that life gave me a second chance. 1 The best thing you can do is focus on surrounding yourself with people who love and support you. Join a church if your religious, lean on friends, and the universe will always put people in your life that will help and show you kindness. When you have support EVERYTHING is possible. 2 Dont give up on your dreams but also know that sometimes life doesnt turn out or follow your plans and be open and willing to be flexible. It was a hard lesson for me to learn since I am a control freak but allowing yourself flexibility will save you a lot of heartache. School might take longer then you hope but stay focused and everything will happen when it is meant to. Who knows, Taking longer might be the best thing for you.3 Look for a job that does tuition reimbursement. Major companies like Home Depot, Target, ect all do tuition reimbursement and it is a godsend. Getting 2k or 3k per semester is beyond helpful and can give you freedom to have a savings and financial stability. PS- youre going to go into debt with school and there is no way around it so except it and dont stress out cause there are programs that help you.4 Dont let the stress of doing this alone effect your self worth. It can be hard spending holidays or birthdays alone Hopefully you dont but Ive been there and dont that but in a few yrs that day wont matter that much anymore. Having your family turn their back on you is never easy but it is not your fault and you are important and valuable in the world!5 Learn to do things on the cheap. If you meet a girl and want to take her on a date... take her on a picnic with home cooked food instead of out to dinner. Spend as little extra money as you can and you will have far less stress. If the people in your life dont get that you have responsibilities then they arent the right people to dedicate your time to. The people who truly care will not only get it but will think of fun ways to make a night out of not spending money.6 You dont know what life has in store for you but its going to be AWESOME! As soon as I turned 18 I started stripping I was a terrible stripper cause I am too nice and wanted to befriend everyone to make ends meat. I have never regretted a choice I have made in my life and I have made some terrible choices but instead chose to learn lessons and move on instead of guilting myself. Now I am 29, working a great job, living in a major city, have an awesome group of friends that are selfless and loyal, married to my best friend, and we are expecting our first child. If you would have asked me at 17 where I would be now, I probably would have told you something sad like a porn star. I didnt realize that life had an incredible person with an incredible family who would not only except me but welcome me into their lives with love and compassion. Never think you arent capable of happiness and never close yourself off to opportunities cause it might be the best thing that ever happened to you!!!If you need any advice or someone to talk to who gets it feel free to message me. Life is hard but support is anywhere and everywhere, even on Reddit. I wish you nothing but the best and there is a gal in Chi who is rooting of you!! 