>I still knew the worst day at school was better than working construction.

I assume you never worked construction? As someone living in a rural area, working outside, staying physically fit (honestly a huge factor for me), working in a different place (all local) every 6-months to 2-years, making a minimum of ~$35K (and more as you learn more skills and management know-how) is not so bad.

I'm not saying education is bad, not at all. I am saying be careful what you disparage...