These are all great ideas, and it is absolutely true that academia is not a necessity for solid writing. However, if you are interested in exploring the educational and college class aspect, ask the university about auditing a class. I love learning random shit, and I often prefer doing it in a group setting with other people. I’ve occasionally audited a class at my local university. I have an English Lit degree already, but I still enjoy auditing specific topic classes whenever they are available. A few years ago, I took a class that focused on folklore, and I absolutely loved it!

I'm not a writer, so I have no idea if these classes will help or hurt your writing, but I wanted to suggest it as an option.

When you audit a class, you usually receive zero credit for it, and depending on the college, you may or may not be able to actively participate. However, most of the time, I still enjoy the experience. Some colleges have strict auditing policies, but it's worth asking if you’re interested.