Completely different environment.

College "metrics" are much less obscured and therefore much more game-able. There is no complex multi-layer management looking over you. Your "manager" is your professor, who is indifferent to your performance because it doesn't affect their bottom line. There is no need to smooth talk anyone, and if you wish you can work completely independent, you can skip class and complete assignments alone.

I can "work" from home in college, on my own time, whenever I see fit. I can take time off if I ever need it without much consequence.

That's a bit...uncharitable. They got through college because they were smart, and the professors treated the students like humans. Minkowski was Einstein's professor. He gave Einstein a very good education--and very bad grades.

Metrics are an important part of life--but they are in service of humans. Humans are not in service of metrics. Feeling dehumanized by being reductively evaluated on metrics is a legitimate complaint.

It is impossible for education--or indeed, intellectual work of any kind--to happen in an environment where you feel continually threatened.