As mentioned in my other comments, I am quite similar in this approach. I've never done 'academically well' after high school but this is the exact approach I use to gain whatever knowledge I need for mental stimulation/curiosity/to get the job done.
Where I live, however there's a strong emphasis on degrees - the brand value of your institution defines you unless you prove otherwise, a chance which is rarely given and even more rarely chosen (due to personal reasons I guess - family, finances, general need for stability etc).
Degrees do work well for some people however, and I really respect the students who manage to make the most out of university education and the experience.
I guess the issue just comes down to scalability again, and people like you and I are not the masses (in this context).
I'm actually interested to know more about how exactly you go about learning something - would love to share ideas! [Email and Twitter in my profile]
Where I live, however there's a strong emphasis on degrees - the brand value of your institution defines you unless you prove otherwise, a chance which is rarely given and even more rarely chosen (due to personal reasons I guess - family, finances, general need for stability etc).
Degrees do work well for some people however, and I really respect the students who manage to make the most out of university education and the experience.
I guess the issue just comes down to scalability again, and people like you and I are not the masses (in this context).
I'm actually interested to know more about how exactly you go about learning something - would love to share ideas! [Email and Twitter in my profile]