A couple quick responses:

1) It is possible to reach a state where you don't need "more and more and more" money. Once your basic needs are met the marginal utility of wealth decreases. This is usually the point where people stop talking about "money" and start talking about "capital." Many, many people never get there but the number isn't as high as most people think. As HL Mencken said, happiness is earning $100 more than your wife's sister's husband.

2) The main grind of high school is the near-total lack of determinism. You've gotten to pick what? 1, 2 electives each year? College is all electives which makes it suck a lot less, but you still have little control over the metrics by which you are judged. "Real life" is that much more; you're basically progressing from true/false to multiple choice to essay.

You're also in the zone where every superior you meet wants to instill you with the notion that ZOMG if you fuck up now your life is over forever. Once you hit college that will be replaced with "go away kid you botha me." The time to stop thinking passively about it is now - high school is something that happens to you. College is something you do.