One) I have a BoA in Communication Design and while I didn't enjoy college, I do recommend getting a degree in a design field, since it forces you to be surrounded by design and art for a few years. You should definitely try to find part time jobs as design intern at the same time, as you will learn most of your profession there.
Two) Depends on your location. Some large cities in the US, like LA, have a ton of jobs for graphic design. When the economy is good, it's easy to find a job - GRANTED, you have to have a good portfolio. I currently am hiring for designers, and I'm impressed by the lack of quality portfolios I encounter. If you have good work to show and a good work ethic, you will find a job.
I don't enjoy the freelance graphic design life and prefer being hired full time at a company, so my preferred job site is indeed.com. After a few years, you will start finding most of your work with references from coworkers and friends (If they think you're cool).
Three) Yes, but you have to be the kind of person that is good at the whole freelance thing. It isn't for everyone, as you are designer, marketer, business person - all in one. If there is a dry spell, you don't have money in your pocket. You have to buy your own insurance ect.
If you are living in the middle of nowhere, meeting clients will be harder and may make larger projects more difficult to acquire. But, people have done it very successfully. If it's the kind of work you're looking for, go for it.
Another thing I don't like about people moving directly from school into freelance is the lack of learning under more experienced designers/art directors & working in a team, which brings me to...
Four) I worked in a small marketing company in Germany, while I happened to find myself in product development companies after going to the US. My experience with design studios is limited, and it wasn't something I was really interested - luckily, as a good designer, you have options.
In a company, you will (hopefully) learn from your colleagues, deal with deadlines, feedback, consequences for underperformance and (most importantly) you will learn what you're good at and what works. You will also learn to be on time, be reliable & work in a team. Overall, I recommend collecting work experience in a studio before making the jump into freelance, but that's just me.
Five) I make a good living as a full time employee. When I freelanced, I also made good money, but the cost of insurance, your own computers, ect, cuts quite into that. Many of my best paying freelance gigs were onsite, btw.
But a typical graphic designer doesn't earn THAT well. Other jobs, like finance or management, are more lucrative. If money is your main concern, graphic design is not the way to go.
Six) Yes, it is. When I worked freelance, I was the main household income and it was very stressful when I knew nobody and was just starting out. You just have to keep working, keep sending portfolios, keep looking for work. There is no slowing down or you may have a problem. Procrastination can become an existential problem. You also can't start doubting yourself, it's crippling.
Looking back, I did well for myself. Found gigs, lost gigs, found the next one. I wasn't picky, which helped - some of the jobs you may think are going to be utter crap, can turn into real diamonds. It's often on you to turn a lame, boring position into something fun.
Seven) I worked as a sales clerk & a Starbucks Barista. I've also worked as an illustrator, but I usually combine that with the Graphic Design profession. Design is fun, but it can become repetitive. There are various fields for you to end up working in, some that may interest you more than others. Advertisement, Marketing, branding, Product Design... those are just a few that jump into my mind. You can start working in one field and you may end up in a whole different field later in life. Keeps it fun.
Good luck! Let me know if you have more questions!
(Edit: Changed numbers into text because of stupid list auto numbering itself in a funky way)