Life's teaching style

There's something to be said about starting your professional life... some things good, some things bad. Somehow, when I envisioned my life, I skipped the whole "apprentice' part... the part where you learn your trade after school but where you're definitely not accomplished by any stretch of the imagination. Because school, as it turns out, is only part of the whole learning experience. I know! Who could have guessed, right? And life then turns out to, sometimes, all the time actually, teach you the lessons. But not in the orderly way of school. I would characterize life's teaching style as rather more nerve-racking. Much more stimulating, too, sure, but definitely very nerve-racking. Or is it just me?