Through out time, all seekers have wanted to strike out on their own, but formal education in all its forms and shapes has been chased by all people of all cultures for all of time. Your Questions is not a simple one, and I will not insult you by leaving only half the answer. Formal education with all its genius and history will not feed your spirit and make you whole. Along with knowledge, you must seek wisdom. Knowledge is knowing many things and is seen on the outside.
Wisdom seems to be a single item and resides within.
The how of wisdom is experience. Life will give you wisdom if you look for it. On a positive aspect, you can travel, sit alone and watch the sun set, look into the eyes of a stranger on the street, or see the life in a baby s smile. They will sweep you, jolt you, and break your heart, but in all, there is wisdom if you seek. Do not place a judgment on others on the path.