As a current student, I'll have to disagree with you...
College gives you:
- A well stocked library
Full of textbooks that you bought for $200, most likely won't use again, and would sell, but the bookstore will only give you $10.
- A ready made peer group, with whom you can discuss the subjects
A majority of the students who really don't care about the class or material, they are just trying to get their diploma as quickly as possible.
- A structured approach to the content
Possibly, depending on the professor, though usually just reading through powerpoint slides in class, and following the books chapter by chapter.
- Ready access to experts (tutors, lecturers and professors)
Ok, I'll give you that, but there's not much I can get from them that I can't get elsewhere.
I disagree here, I've found college to be a major timesink. In both the "required" courses that are unrelated to my field, and in those that insist on teaching me what I already know, like the "Computer Basics" class that everyone must take. How to turn on the computer, use a mouse, etc. I think the fact that I'm taking Cisco/Unix/C++ classes should negate that class, but no, it's required... Colleges are like any other business, they are trying to make money, they are not concerned with the quality of education, or what will actually help in the real world. They want to suck as much money out of students as they can.
