I started rebuilding engines when I was 13. My love for cars drove me (pun intended) to become a mechanical engineer, so I could understand them better. (And I became bored as a mechanic after fixing the same thing on a car three to four times - no challenge anymore.)
After having a good background as a mechanic, I sat in many classes and while the professor was explaining theories, it would dawn on me "that is why this works that way", from my experience as a mechanic. It helped me understand and remember the theories that the teachers were explaining/teaching better. It also helped me understand engines and other mechanical issues that help me build my cars better.
