No, definitely not a colossal waste of time!
First, did you get your AA/AS? If not, be sure to complete the courses to earn that degree. Many, many people have an associate’s degree but not a bachelor’s. That’s much, much better than no degree! Don’t get discouraged, and don’t delay. Getting an associate’s degree is a big deal.
Second, have you checked out your college’s DRC (disability resource center)? SO MANY students have undiagnosed learning challenges that make school much harder than it should be. Auditory processing issues, dyslexia or other visual processing issues, dysgraphia, etc., are OFTEN diagnosed in college, and even more often, are missed forever. Having a learning challenge has NOTHING to do with how smart or capable a student is… instead, it’s an explanation for why college has been difficult. The accommodations that follow any diagnosis are typically life-changing for students. All of the sudden, extended testing times, auditory textbooks, quiet test environments, etc., are provided, and C students often turn into A students, almost overnight. Please don’t hesitate to consider this valuable community college resource.
Most importantly, these days, it is not uncommon to receive no offers for transfer from the California public higher education system. Don’t take it personally. There is great advice in this thread. Private schools are an excellent option, and often have available scholarships.
Good luck and keep your chin up. You’ve accomplished a lot so far, and there is more to come.