This. I realized too late that student life (college, university) is not about studying but for making life-long friends, building the base for your network.
As I have grown older I realised that my university friends were mainly a bunch of snobby middle class boring people. They had a careers, while I explored life a fair bit more (and still manage to have a career after taking a few years out).
The guys who I have met through kayaking - an activity where we have quite literally saved each others lives on occasion - are far more interesting and fun and more real friendships.
I was involved with the university club for a while, until my level was beyond wanting to help teach beginners and push my own limits somewhat harder.
Travelled and worked as a rafting guide after university, and I quite literally have kayaking friends all over the world now.