Help me, like-minded people

Hello. I'm 18, from the UK and in my final year of school. I'm completely lost at the moment and have absolutely no idea what to do with my future. I hate school work so much and as a result never really get much done. This results in me "under performing" as my teachers keep telling me i can do so much better and go to a top uni. The truth is though i really can't face another 3 years of academic work at a university. It's not that I'm lazy, I've happily held down office and manual jobs. It's just that the academic system of memorizing and regurgitating is mind numbingly boring. I'm still ambitious and think I can make a good life for myself but it seems that you need a degree to get any of the good jobs. I don't really want to end up as that guy that works at McDonalds when he's 27 either. It just seems that in our society you need to be academic for people to think you're intelligent. Most of the A* students aren't that clever though they're just unquestioning and have an ability to memorize shit. I'm really close to having to make a decision on what direction to send myself. Does anyone have any advice on how to not fuck up my life? Edit: Please tell me if I'm being an arrogant dick and just need to put up and shut up for the next few years Edit: I am an INTP