the time in your life where you learn (?)

so, i realize/think about often that college is this pretentious limbo where students learn things that will 'help them pursue later careers' etc. but really, all's we learn are these really heady conceptual lessons that are applicable in thought only. or at least, that's the lion share of what we learn. like, for instance, tragedy of the commons. interesting to learn about, staple of many classes, completely useless except as a thought exercise. or organic chemistry. or a cursory look at physiology. anyone who's going to actually need to know any of those concepts will be reintroduced (time and time again) to the salient concepts. or statistics: great for interpreting things you'll see later in schooling, useless except for what you actually need to know and will doubtlessly be introduced to again in your post-graduate school career.
there are those useful subjects that will be the only time you'll learn something and will use it over and over again...but i think that's probably isolated and maybe only in one lecture of a whole semester of heady talking.
(okay, i do have to amend this to reflect something i learned in my nursing class that was actually super informative and useful: how to read my insurance policy and know what is and isn't covered...one of the most useful, applicable things i think i've ever learned in school)
seriously, how many people actually do what they learn how to do in undergrad as a career? i mean, nursing, sure, i mean is technically an undergrad degree, but i'll (re)learn everything i actually need to apply later in my schooling when i'm actually in the nursing school.
whatever. maybe college is that time when you're supposed to learn how to write. i certainly haven't learned that yet. or how to juggle social and professional life. on the whole, i'd say college is way more about out of classroom experience than in. but i think the issue with that, going backwards, is that you really have to sculpt and create the lessons outside the classroom; explore the world around you more than just going to class, and that's all in your hands...no one tells you how or why or what you should be doing.
which is why i'm seriously considering being a flight attendant. i'd use my german degree and could put my nursing degree on hold...lufthansa is hiring...
if i don't get into nursing school (totally plausible).