Stuck Facing a Fork Road. Suggestions? :(

[AmethystFossil]

I'm 20 this year and I've currently just finished my Diploma in Business Studies and should be going for my Degree soon. My problem is, I don't know if I should further my studies overseas (which would take about 3 years) or stop studying and help my dad with his business.
If I were to further my studies, I'm not sure if I want to as I'm not keen on studying and it's so expensive as well. I love reading on my own but do not like attending classes. I'm afraid I won't like studying for my Degree. I don't even know what I would like to major in since I don't find any interest within me at all. I'm confused. Would it be alright if I stopped studying and just learn from reading and to gain experience thru' working?
My dad has a business and he really hopes that I don't go overseas and help him instead. But nearly everyone says that it's essential to have a Degree so I'm quite afraid that I'll miss out on anything if I were to stop my studies.
However, if I were to work here, I feel like I have missed out on an independent student life or something? And I would love to work overseas. The environment seems a lot better than here. Maybe I just want to venture out on my own to work but not to study. But if i don't help my dad, I feel guilty since he's nearing retirement and my elder brother who's supposed to take after him died of cancer a few years ago. That left me a little bewildered as well.
I don't know what to do
I think I'm highly afraid of failure if I don't get a Degree since it's the norm thing to do. I think I'm really confused. I know I'm supposed to run my own life but I'm asking for suggestions or any opinions you might have?

[tstesen]

I think what it all boils down to is if you will be happy working with your dad in his business. What does he do? Is it something you have any interest in learning and possibly carrying on when he retires? If not then I would suggest you pursue your own passion whether that involves university or not.

I personally haven't attended university so I can't offer any perspective from that point of view however I can attest to the fact that if you decide not to pursue your continuing education that you can still be successful. I started my own company back in 2005 and while I don't have a degree I do attend lectures and courses regularly that are of interest to me and that will help me polish my skills.

On the flip side I have several friends that did attend college only to graduate with their degree and decide they didn't want to work in that field after all. My best friend since childhood has a business management and marketing degree. She works in a law firm as a receptionist. I think its rather ironic that she's the one with the degree but I'm the one that actually works in business.

[silicon toad2000]

Carve out your own road right down the middle.

work in your dad's business and study part time. Study is so much more fulfilling if you have real world experience to apply it to.