Nice advice! I second you on writing 50 ifs and then refactoring.
Sometimes junior devs asked me it they should go for a degree or not. Unlike other professions you can code without a degree. Just Imagine a surgeon without one.
The advice is: Try to get a degree now. You can learn in udemy, youtube and lots of online courses. But there are solid stuff you only learn at university.
If you want to build a cottage you don't need a strong foundation. If your goal is to build skyscrapers you should. It is up to you.
Sorry for hijacking your post :)