Reminds me a lot of the PhD-student experience; for years you sit in courses in a relatively strict environment to finally get your BSc (or your MSc or whatever

Reminds me a lot of the PhD-student experience; for years you sit in courses in a relatively strict environment to finally get your BSc (or your MSc or whatever), and you start your PhD - and suddenly you're on your own, you have to plan your own time, outline your own research, you have to make sure that your program stays on track, deliver results on time etc. Not many people can handle this sudden shift which is why a PhD is not something for everyone.