Absolutely right. The value of a university is no more than it’s initial filtering system. It’s the one status symbol that can’t be bought (well, I know what you are thinking but let’s not digress ). I’ve always thought it would be a great idea for people to apply to college and once accepted - you have an elite college club that they join, and they just don’t attend college. It would be a $200 application fee well spent. Then you take $50,000 and spend it on 5 international and 5 local trips over a 3 year period and boom - you got a great network!
Parents must encourage curiosity. And if you are not failing, you really aren’t pushing yourself enough. I wanted to teach my kids some important life lessons so I had them interview some amazing people - Jimmy Wales, Vint Cerf, Nobel prize winners, Pulitzer winners, prime ministers etc. they’ve learnt a lot. If you are curious google Rookie Reporter . There is also. Youtube channel of the same name.