My failure was that when I went to college, I didn't prepare myself to live independently, and thought that if I went to college then I could get a high salary. However, theory and practice in the field are very different. Then I realized that education was necessary and what was more important was to practice it from now on.
I believe the reality is that college doesn't guarantee you a job, but skills and knowledge are what land you a better job. Nowadays, companies often hire experienced individuals. Additionally, nepotism is prevalent in the recruitment of new employees, so those with poor skills and knowledge may find it challenging to secure a job.
During my college days, I observed various types of students, from smart ones to lazy ones. From that experience, I can't say that being smart ensures a job. The working world and education are not the same. The lazy ones might simply not enjoy academic subjects but excel in public speaking, which significantly influences their position in a company.