I dropped out of education many times. I guess because of mental illness/lack of purpose. I have been on 6 different schools/programs after the age of 18. And then quit for 10 years or so.

I do not think anyone could have told me something back then that would have fixed it. I think one of the reasons is that I always was at a very low academic level and I absolutely wasn't able to motivate myself to work hard to learn stuff that would give me a basic degree and then a basic job. And without motivation, I am nothing. And I am still that way. Things have been going very smoothly now. I just finished my last credit for my BSc at age 34, cum laude. I am sure I will be able to finish my MSc. And then I am sure I can get recommendations for a nice PhD spot.

But if things suddenly don't go well, and I have to take second or third pickings compared to my peers right now, I'd be disappointed and I may give up entirely again.