Well said. I don't know if the previous quoted posted is tongue in cheek or is heavy on sarcasm...if not, it's a completely skewed view of the average college experience. Sure, there are kids in school fulfilling all the worst "college movie" stereo types. There are also lots of kids from middle class families on student loans and working while they go with little or no support from home other than health insurance and the odd meal plan check. 5-6 years for a young guy working full time is not unheard of, nothing wrong with that.

I took the military route. GI bill back then wasn't as comprehensive, but I still got it done as a married 23 year old freshman. Like you said, Uncle Sam wants the grades or you don't get paid. GI bill, working in a machine shop part time, and student loans netted me a mechanical engineering degree in 4.5 years from a large state university. It can be done, it's about choices.