why studying is harder than working

I know, not many will believe that studying can actually be harder than working. But now that I've done both, and am the only mad person I know who wanted to study full-time on my own, I believe I have some authority to give my opinion on this subject.

Let me summarise the reasons, though people who actually read my blog would find many of these complaints familiar.

1. Work - you go in at 8, leave at 6 and don't have to think about it after work or on weekends / Study - you're constantly reading, writing essay, thinking about it 24/7
2. Work - you actually get paid while being tortured / Study - depleting lifetime savings and future earnings while being tortured
3. Work - 14 days of leave go on holiday, someone can sort of cover your work for you / Study - what leave, go on leave and PAY TRIPLE time when you return.
4. Work - do things within your sphere of knowledge / Study - raise your awareness of how ignorant you are and then leave you hanging there thinking, "Oh shit, now what?"
5. Work - eat, drink and party on a working professional's income / Study - beans and toast, hope to get treated for drinks and party in your own kitchen.
   

Would I do another Master's degree, ever again? Noooooooooo. Unless it's sponsored. Having said that, I don't regret a single minute doing my programme, I do question why the hell I wanted it in the first place.

K back to data analysis...wtf?!