Hold on to it. Work hard to make it happen. Strive to be good and to do well. Accept that there are standards of excellence and seek to emulate them. The message is that the responsibility for your own well-being rests in the hands of others.
Hard work wins.
If not, take a job, any job. Work hard and develop a reputation for reliability. You will get promoted, or if your employer does not have the room or is too blind or stupid to see your potential, find another job first, then leave. If you decide to get married, stay married. Better still, go to college.