Question Regarding Design Tools Of The Trade

Hello all! I have a question regarding the must have software/tools used in graphic design.

Here's a quick little background of my studies: I studied Accessible Media Design in college and in there, they taught me to use Canva for graphic design (they for some reason didn't have any money or resources to give us Adobe software or anything else to use, and just said Canva was all we ever needed).

Coming to this subreddit and lurking about, I've come to understand that you guys really hate Canva (for all sorts of various reasons). I'm just stuck using it as my main design tool, as Adobe is way too over priced for me to use (heard about a price hike up recently). I'm interested in learning how to use the software, but money is the main problem.

I kind of feel like I'm a fake graphic designer for just using Canva... Even though I do have the education (also learned through other sources as well to supplement what knowledge I was missing).

I am using Photopea as my substitute for Photoshop as a fellow graphic designer recommended it to me.

Are there any cheaper or free alternatives to Adobe software that I could use in the meantime to practice my graphic design skills in... Other than just using Canva's blank design to create stuff either for volunteering or for my first full-time summer job? Do I have to use Adobe (like is it a must have even if it burns a hole through your wallet?).