I found that my full-time job as a student allowed me to test lessons I learned in the classroom, or to at least see their application in real settings. I never met anyone in college who used their free time to ponder. People fill up their free time, one way or the other. Then they ponder during their busy time.

Having to grind to get in the game sounds like real life. An education that does not prepare you for real life is of questionable value.