I would really like to be a director but I need a new camera and experience?

I want to be a director and go to school for directing and filmmaking. I would like to have experience with films before I go to school in 2 years but I want to get a new camera. I could post my scripts and ideas on craigslist and other websites to find actors and more crew members but I would like to get more experience before I try to commission help from others. What can I do to get more experience, raise money for a new camera (I have a sony handycam piece of crap and a **** paying job (6.50 an hour)) and what resources and equipment will I need to make quality short films when I get further into my filmmaking career? I feel as though I should know these things before I go to school for filmmaking but following forums can be confusing because I have no idea where to start.