i tried to calculate how much would i make from bitcoin mining using an antminer s9, and i don't think it's worth it for me as the cost of electricity is high where i live, which is in the UK (it's 20 cents approx), i make like $300 profit a year. and obviously i can't use faucets as that will take years to get one bitcoin. so is the only way to even get any value from bitcoin is to buy it and hold it on for another few years? but it is a risky investment due to the price. or should i invest in new currencies that are cheap right now and have potential to grow to $4k a coin?

Diversifying your investments may be a tactic in order to maximize your profits whether for short or long-term perspective. Another method would be participating into campaign signatures as it may provide you bitcoins weekly which are more reliable compared to other methods. Another option would be doing trading or providing services under the market place to people who specifically needs something or someone. There are a lot of ways in order to earn or acquire bitcoin, what comes into place is the right attitude and mindset over it.
if the price is not good, the best option is the holding
if you are able to get profit, please sell your assets
make sure you are not rash in making decisions
Yes I agree, when the price is not as good as it did some time ago then the best solution is buying and holding, but we will soon see a skyrocketing price as the current price has already reached over $ 9800 and it seems less than 24 hours the price will reach $ 10,000 .
My core principle in investing: never to sell/exchange my coins from a price lowered from what I acquired them initially and the only exception would be of an emergency or a financial struggle. Last month, prices of bitcoin were around $7,200 and currently, it is sitting comfortably around $9,000-$9,700. One could have yield profit in a short-term perspective and it might even reach $10,000 like what you mentioned.