Is academics the only route to success?

No, academics are definitely not the only route to success. Success is a very subjective term and means different things to different people. While a strong academic background can open many doors, many highly successful people have achieved their goals through other avenues, such as:

* Entrepreneurship: Starting and running a successful business requires skills like creativity, risk-taking, and strong leadership, not necessarily a high level of formal education.

* Trades and skilled labor: Plumbers, electricians, welders, and many other skilled tradespeople can earn excellent livings and build successful careers without needing a college degree.

* Arts and entertainment: Musicians, actors, artists, and writers often find success through talent, dedication, and hard work, rather than academic achievements.

* Athletics: Professional athletes achieve remarkable success through physical talent, training, and dedication.

* Technology: Many successful tech entrepreneurs and innovators have learned their skills through self-education and hands-on experience rather than formal academic paths.

In short, success is achievable through diverse paths. The "best" route depends entirely on individual talents, interests, and definition of success.