An independent study with a good professor is what I am currently doing. It is an excellent way to cap off a college experience and gives you real work to showcase to employers. If you find a project you are passionate about it really shows well.
In the real world, being able to get a job to support myself. (As in being able to pay rent, food, not become homeless.)
In a world where I did not need money, or I had enough means not to have to work for a living, going back to school, and take classes/subjects that I find interesting. Just because I want to know.