I think that’s a garbage way of looking at it. Anything past high school is real life, imo. Anything that requires pulling yourself out of bed and existing as a normal, functioning human on your own accord is real life.
I agree with the notion that it’s pointless and merely a stepping stone, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. With that mindset, it’s all a game. No one is ever “done.” There’s always another goal off in the distance. More degrees, better jobs, nicer homes and cars. Ya know, the grand American Dream. It’s all a part of that same game. If you consider real life to be a definitive “I know what I’m doing for the rest of my life,” no one is really living until they’re retired and one foot in the grave.
I don’t know what I’m doing, but it is sure as fuck real and miserable.