Dale J. Stephens left conventional school behind at age 12 and has been part of the DIY education movement ever since. In "Hacking Your Education," Stephens shows you how to save time and money while still learning everything you need. Here's an excerpt.

I went to college because I assumed I needed a college degre to get a good job. When I realized that wasnt the case, I left. Thinking back on it now, I went to college because I wanted to do the things I believed only college graduates could do. Visions of handsome jobs, alumni networks, and all-night parties filled my teenage mind. What I realized is that the fantasy isnt the college degree. The fantasy is the path to success a college education is supposed to open. It turns out you can skip college entirely and learn more than your peers ever will.

We shouldnt be asking, How can I get a college degree? Instead, we should ask, How can I get the things a degree promises?

As I see it, there are three main reasons we go to university:

1. For the social experience

2. To get a job

3. To learn for learnings sake.

The Social Experience of College

A few days before I left college, I was having dinner in the cafeteria with friends who were asking me questions about leaving school. Where will you live? they asked, and How will you support yourself? These were serious questions, and I gave serious answers until a voice piped up at the end of the table.

What about the beer and the girls? a guy from my English class asked. Arent you going to miss them?

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‘Hacking Your Education’: Build your future on your own terms