Should I join the Air Force?

I want to be a fighter jet, iv been wanting to do this since I was maybe 7 years old. I kind have forgot about it until now. I know its very hard to become one. I know I have to be very smart and have really good grades. I haven't done well in school manly cause I didn't care enough for school. I just turned 18 and graduated hs. My grades are not that great(except for science which I did good in). Should I still go for it? Can I still become one even though I messed up in the past? I talked to a recruiter and he said that for the air force, they are manly looking for mechanics not pilots. I don't want to sign my life away if I won't be what I want(I don't mind signing up and doing other things and eventually become a pilot). If you recommend yes, how should I go about it? Should I sign up as an enlisted and be a part time student, or should I get a bachelors degree and then enlist? Any help or advice would be great, thanks in advance