How to use stats in life
Wisdom of numbers
It's about the population, not the individual. In a binary category, 99% might seem like a very high probability, but the 1% exists and represents a real data point if the population exceeds 100. You could very well be that 1%. How do we use this information? To counter the argument that "most people do A this way, so you must do A." A could be "attend an elite school to get your dream job" or "play basketball at 7 feet tall." You can do more than that. You can reach your dream without an elite background; you can enjoy basketball and even excel at it. Don't be afraid to be the 1%.
The average is not a real representation; it is abstract. The average person is not the mode or the majority. Furthermore, if you combine two attributes, finding a mode becomes even less likely. For example, the "average" person gets a degree at 22, marries by 25, has two kids before 30, and is definitely housed by then. But at every step, some people progress differently, either voluntarily or involuntarily, yet they still exist and find a way on an off path.
There is also comfort to be found in stats: getting a college degree gives you a better leg up compared to not having one. So, if you are in a shit-hole situation and have that chance, go for it, and you are more likely to make it out in the end.