[idm]

Once you get to PhD level, you need to be an independent student. The best students are. In order to get there, it's useful to be independent all along the way, typically by riffing on the constraints of the various assignments you complete.

If you're not into the structured part at all, then it will chafe from friction. However, the structure is definitely there for a reason because, if you're really pushing the limits, you'll be thankful for the times when you stumble and there is a structure to fall back on.

So you're left with two choices that maximize independent learning: 1) drop out or 2) make it past undergrad and become a master student.

I'm in a PhD program right now, but some of the best stuff I'm learning is happening through Coursera. ...and that's great, but the fact that I have a community of other full-time students and researchers to work with makes all the difference. If I were just sitting in a room learning for learning's sake, it would be totally different. I feel really lucky that I can put my ideas into practice, and I totally love the academic environment for facilitating that. To me, it's worth it.