Hi Alex,
I hope I'm not too late in posting this reply. I did my undergrad at UofT, then I went on to grad school in Europe. It is weird because I was doing what I thought I had always wanted to do. I based my self worth on my education, or level of education, when I should have looked at my real talents. I got so sick of academics that one day I just opened a word document and started writing a screenplay. I didn't know what the hell I was doing, I just started. However, I have to say that without my education I would have never had the access to the information on which my screenplay was based. I wouldn't have had the knowledge to actually write it well, nor would I have the discipline to finish it and shop it around. You learn a lot in University, but I read that a PhD, unless you plan to go into that field, is basically useless in real life.... which is your life after all.
It came to be that I just couldn't take it, and I knew I wasn't lazy, I just felt in my soul that it just wasn't the way for me to pursue grad school. I'm not sure what you should do. Some people may stay in school and be practical, some may say do what you feel. I go with the latter, because in the end, no one can live your life for you and you just end up blaming other people for 'stopping' you from achieving your dreams if you don't do what you feel.
All I can say is, grad school was miserable for me. I felt out of place and like I should be doing something else, like pursuing my purpose in life. To me that was to influence more people through creative writing than any academic writing could have.
You may ask, 'What is my purpose?' Well, I looked back at what I have always been good at in school. I narrowed it down to subjects I always enjoyed and excelled at even without much effort; and that was art and creative writing. I do have a very lively imagination! Art wasn't exactly the best living, so that was out. I thought of writing a book, but then realised that, sadly, not too many people read these days. So, I thought a film would touch more people. And that's how I came about writing a screenplay. It is hardwork but I think it will pay off in many, many ways.
I hope the best for you. Imagine yourself on your deathbed, is there something you have always wanted to do but didn't. If there is, then go out and do it now, while you can! Good luck and God bless.
E
