So you got they college learning and they didn't.

We were lucky that first year University classes were avaialble at highschool via a special accreditation. So Algebra, Calculus, Functions and Relations, English, and Physics courses were free.

At college I learned descriptive geometry, database design and programming, filesystem management, metallurgy, welding, moldflow analysis, etc. They all helped formulate / solidify ideas and methods of working through problems.