A Journey of Self-Discovery and Influence

The speaker dropped out of college and pursued filmmaking independently due to self-motivation and the belief that he could learn with his friends without paying the high fees. Additionally, he was influenced by a romantic relationship which led him to prioritize spending time with his girlfriend over continuing his education. The speaker eventually got a job after being pushed by the housekeeper of his girlfriend's parents, highlighting the influence of others in guiding his path during a period of uncertainty and self-discovery.