Being a student stretches us in ways that few experiences do - with the exception of therapy of course. And many a budding psychologist - through his or her own experience - has noticed that being a student can be a regressive experience. (No one I know of course.) In other words, it challenges us in ways, that we don't expect...not just intellectually but emotionally.
Nonetheless, if you are able to rise to the challenge, in much the same way as therapy shapes an individual, I think the student experience helps expand our lives for years to come.
If you're considering online college courses this might be the first site to visit. It's easy to navigate and the information isn't overwhelming like many sites. It's also got a handy Find a College tool organized by what type of degree you're looking for. It looks like it's mainly for USA colleges but it has information for out of state or out of country scholarship opportunities.