Academics matter. For grad school. Getting/qualifying for a job and more. Academics are most important, by far.
But the college experience is and should be about so much more. Friends. Independence. Growing. Participating. Experimenting…take that as you decipher in your own way.
My son has done little but school. He’s done a few clubs occasionally. But he is growing…cooks all his meals, has to do laundry.
My daughter has started a club at her school to help afghan refugees. She has multiple faculty sponsors and over 50 students involved. Plus is Greek, etc.
She is taking full advantage non academically and really just displaying the leadership cred we always knew she had.
But as I tell her daily or weekly…. Still gotta keep pace with school…that’s why you are there.
But I do agree it’s not just about school. Otherwise go to a community college and live home.