As someone with no experience investing into a syndication, is this normal, a red flag, or possibly ok depending on other variables?

I would keep one checking account and one savings account for all the investments because it's so much simpler.

Always look at comparables when investing.

Each have different ROIs and characterizations on "good" investing. 

Even if I 1031into an actual investment property?

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Their free content isn't bad but for Guru #1 owns 10 SFHs worth $2 million and on her content claims she has gross rental income of $150,000.

I’ve saved up a bit of capital during high school and my plan is to keep building it while I’m in college and start investing quickly.

I have about double what you have and would never in a million years think about doing it without PM.

I will be able to do my first purchase in Q4.My investment goals are to retire from my W2 in 6 years by the time I am 40, continue my location independence and split my time between the business and writing (it's hard to give up stories when you have worked with it since you were 19).