In term of training, lectures were unequal, but overall I learned a lot. Would have been impossible to achieve the same level of knowledge on my own. The problem isn't the content, but the discipline to learn things on your own without validation, over several years. That'd take a high level of maturity I didn't have at 18.

For the intended purpose of learning? Not at all. If you're legitimately interested in the subject, you'll learn more on your own.

For improving your prospects? Definitely. Say you were unlucky enough to be born in the third world. University is the easiest route into the first. I've spent almost £80k between tuition fees, rent, and living expenses over the past 3 years, all my own money from bug bounties, freelancing, and jobs/internships. I could've probably lived a comfortable life back in Malaysia with that much savings while working an average job. But the cap on my potential has definitely been raised several times that just by having a UK visa and a pathway to residency.

Also, I learnt this lesson way too late: it's not about what you know, but who you know. I wasted my first two years here mostly doing individual projects. Even though the 3rd year is the most busy, I'm making active effort now to work with professors on their projects. Some are genuinely interesting and at the same time, they have the ability to link you up with people with similar interests. If you can't seem to find people at your level IB Uni, it's because you haven't tried going the indirect route via professors. They know everyone

* Don’t stop at just a bachelors degree. Get a masters.

* Don’t bother with a computer science degree. A person that is smart enough can teach themselves to write code. Instead focus on an educational subject of greater learning.

* Be choosy with your school focusing on quality of education in your subject area and not the prestige of name unless you have money to burn and are just there to buy future friends.

Yes, college was absolutely worth it, but then I went to a very inexpensive school.

Personally I think what you gain from education comes from three things:

i. How much you apply yourself, how much are you willing to self-study, do research, your own projects, ask question. ii. The structured pathway an educational institution gives you to learn certain skills and gain knowledge. In self-learning the problem comes knowing what to learn and in what order so that you can advance to a more advanced level. iii. People you meet. Not just networking, but the fact that if you hang out with very clever people all day long, some of that prob sticks to you as well.

Even my art degree was extremely useful, although it provided absolutely no path to employment. I don’t know what the future brings, but I have absolutely loved my current degree so far, although it admittedly very hard at times.

The valuable "education" came after, wasn't related to the school curriculum, and was mostly learned on the job.

Some professions require the pedigree, in those cases, you have no choice but to play the game.

If you want to get educated, take the courses that align with your chosen vocation, don't bother with following a degree track. It's not worth the money/hassle. Also, and this is key, marry what you learn with hands-on doing of the stuff you're covering in class.

Get into an internship/apprenticeship. Learn a trade.

The "you have to go to college to be successful" mantra is a lie. And we've saddled ourselves (and our kids) with this idea and the horrendous debt that comes with it.

It's a terrible, terrible idea.

"I have never let schooling interfere with my education" - Mark Twain

- What I am capable of. How I compare to others out there.

- How to comprehend and learn on my own. Most of what I now use on a daily basis in order to earn a living, I learned on my own.

- Teaching can be a guide but learning is a choice. It requires dedication and motivation.