Dealing with people who are already ahead? How do I make that me?

If your heart lies in fine art skills using oil and acrylics, then try to look into DMP artist job profile, Digital Matte painting artist. You can create digital backgrounds or blend and compose different images and layers, You can use that style to even create stop-motion or claymation. Try to get XP-pen tablet or Wacon tablet. Practice using that instead of a mouse and learn Photoshop + if you are interested learn sculpting or texturing. Find something you love. Try to find ikigai.

Hi. It's good to see that you are pursuing the path in creative space. I'm a 3D and VFX Animator. I feel the same burden of being mid to low in work many times. But still I'm in the field, working on interesting projects. You consider any field or anything in the world, there are others who have a knack or are naturally talented or focus on rigorous practice in that particular work by which they become extremely skillful. I only suggest one thing, don't be overwhelmed, segregation and step-by-step building of portfolio is the key. Just, make time for at least an hour, listen, watch and mainly observe everything, study, focus, patience is the number one most important thing that is required in the design or animation industry. Because as an animator you work with frames and seconds, your output is mere seconds per month. But, keep in mind even a second of beautiful Animation full of life gives immense satisfaction. Animation drains you of your time, industry disrupts with working hours, everyday will be very challenging and yet you get to give life to characters. You get to express yourself through this medium. Many people may learn basics and create demo reels early. But, take time, schedule a 3 month deadline for your demo. Follow reference and try to create readable, register worthy, strong poses. You just need 15 to 20 seconds of demo. In animation industry there is only one Test during interview. That is, you will be given a task and it can be completed in half day to two days as per different companies. You are a student now, so explore, explore Maya, blender, unreal, explore AI tools to generate references. At the end of the day, Push yourself to be more better than yesterday.