Grad School vs A Real Job

One reason intrepid young overachievers decide to go to grad school is because they are told how different it is than a "real job." The implication is that grad school is a much more intellectually stimulating and free environment than any position you might acquire out in the world.  The workload certainly isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not working), the stress isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not stressing), and the pay certainly isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not poor).  I've spent all week sitting at a desk staring at an Excel spreadsheet.  Seems to me this is exactly like a real job.  Maybe I'm just bitter.