I dropped out after realizing my degree wouldn't teach how to become a software engineer—but here's what I wish I'd maximized before leaving:
- Learn everything, but do just enough to pass
- Also learn on your own time what YOU think is important, make pet projects, build portfolio
- Work in parallel to study, if a good opportunity is available, otherwise focus on learning
- Network, meet peers
- Find more interesting courses / groups, switch courses if you think a better one is available
- If there's an opportunity to be an exchange student in a more interesting university or even different country, take it
- Try not to drop out, but if a better opportunity (e.g. career) comes, take it
All of this changes if a university is not free.
Debt is a gamble. Don't roll the dice unless the payout is guaranteed. Student loan is no exception: will you be able to afford it?
But that's up to you to decide.
The most value university provided to me was meeting new people and making good friends.
University is a tool. Use it — then ditch it when it's dull.