for those in school, there is no life outside of it. IE: Pep Rallies at work don't exist.
And when they go to College they think there is no world outside of College. And then when people graduate from that, they think that there is no world but those who are struggling for work and money. Then, at about age 25 to 30 the world is finally opened up to them.
Highschool and college are macrocosms of "MallRats", the movie.