Is it no longer a given that you must go to a general high school to get into university?

If you aren't good at studying and end up at a general high school only to stay at the bottom of the class
is it much better to
go to a vocational high school,
get lots of certifications, rank first by doing well on exams,
and get a job at a good company?
Is it better to be
the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon?