This is a terrible misconception
Academia right now is made to be easier, it is not easy, there has been innovations in the world of mathematics, computer science, engineering, etc... Depends on where you go to school I suppose. But in no way is school more challenging, just because you dont get the belt when youre bad doesnt mean its harder. There was a lot more new things being discovered in the 50s/ 60s during the post WWII era and cold war, now a days things are more organized but in no way can you be an idiot and get a degree... maybe in arts, and more so in north america.
Also, as a long time advocate of DDO and vetern, I would not say it is harder then this game, I play a sentinel and so far the experience has been much, much more challenging then anything in DDO. In DDO you needed a team, sure, but thats what the game was centered around, this is meant to be a more solo experience.