Drop out of school, take an internship at a printer first, then ad agency.

I am $47,000 in debt from school. I graduated in 1997. I did not learn one thing that pertains to work from school.

Personally, I think you need to know the very basics and then only then start with an Internship at a local printing company that they are more than happy to accommodate some one that they don't have to reimburse for being an apprentice. If you're going to be working in the Design "business" you need to know how everything is put together specially with colors.
Some Internships are payed but you have to start that way to understand the "Graphic" business.
Happy trails...

JPX,

You don't say where you're going to school or what type of program you're enrolled in -- 4 year university, 2 year technical college, an art school like RISD, Art Center, or what.

That being said, and after reading your post and the two current replies, I thought I 'd throw my 2¢ in.

Internships and apprenticeships are great. School is great as well, but one or the other isn't going to give you everything you want or need. The internships and apprenticeships are going to give you a lot of technical and practical skills and knowledge. On the other hand, school is where you'll learn theory, the history of design and also have the opportunity for more creative freedom of the kind you seem to be desiring. Because frankly, it's going to be difficult, if not impossible to make a living as a designer and avoid the business/corporate world. They're the one's with the need and the money to pay you. You'll probably have to do the artistic coop on the side, unless of course, you don't need to earn a living as a designer.

So, I'd advise you to both seek an education and do the internships and apprenticeships if that's a possibility for you. It may be the program you're in is a lousy one and that's causing your frustration. Check out the programs at other schools, talk to the instructors and people currently enrolled in the program at various levels. See what they say, and go from there.

Best of luck.

Sounds like you are not in an appropriate school or school is not for you.?

Leaving you on your own can be a good thing if you push yourself and use your instructors as resources. Design is all about business... It's not an art form (depending on who u talk to).

I train a lot of people who want to be "designers" and did not participate in a design program in college. I recommend getting a good base knowledge, and grow from there... Take at least a few classes... typography, color theory & history of graphic design.

You have to have the drive to learn the trade... Design is not only about creating something artistic & creative, it is also about function & working with the medium...

Sure. In fact, that can be a far more focused and accelerated shortcut to the real deal. But it can also be a bit of a hobble if and when trying to launch a career in the employee circuit.