I have to be honest, it sounds a little like you have a chip on your shoulder. Some things that I personally found very helpful about university, other than the written learning resources:
* In-person access to professors who can competently discuss topics that go beyond the syllabus.
* Fairly realistic appraisal of what it's like to continue on to graduate studies.
* Being immersed in an environment of self-driven learning.
* Building independence in a safe space away from home.
* Very wide range of sports clubs, societies, hobby groups etc... and the time to pursue several of them.
* Opportunity to demonstrate excellence. The degree class and academic prizes still count for something at many universities.
Good points, all of them! "Safe space" is two-edged. Academia can be a very friendly environment compared to most workplaces available for youths. It can also be something alike a Maoist struggle session if you end up in the wrong university with the wrong professors.
> Opportunity to demonstrate excellence.
This is the best point, and probably the top reason why young people who are excellent workers find themselves quitting after some years and going back to school.
Fair - to be honest I'm holding in mind a fairly idealised version of university where the professors excel in both teaching and research and are open to discussing all reasonable viewpoints. Possibly because I was in the sciences I don't have much familiarity with struggles with closed-minded lecturers. Also I was thinking about the environment outside of studies - students have financial loans and grants to ease their transition, opportunities to socialise and avoid loneliness, and easy access to free advice and therapy etc... .
* In-person access to professors who can competently discuss topics that go beyond the syllabus.
* Fairly realistic appraisal of what it's like to continue on to graduate studies.
* Being immersed in an environment of self-driven learning.
* Building independence in a safe space away from home.
* Very wide range of sports clubs, societies, hobby groups etc... and the time to pursue several of them.
* Opportunity to demonstrate excellence. The degree class and academic prizes still count for something at many universities.