The university go / not go arguement really is a difficult one.
In my view it is not neccesary to university to become an airline pilot, however I wouldn't swap my memories from uni for anything in the world, so for me the decision would be life experience versus getting that first flying job a bit quicker. Now at first glance you would think that this is a no brainer and you just want to jump in the cockpit and forget three years "wasted" (in every sense!!) at university. Well don't! There are too many what if's in life and in my view you will forever kick yourself for missing out on the university experience, you have a huge opportunity to live a little and a long career in aviation ahead of you, don't be in too much of a hurry or you'll miss the best bits!
You learn so many life skills when fending for yourself and you'll be arounf thousands of people from all walks of life, who think differently to you and you'll have the chance to develop your personlity accordingly, and when you're on long haul in years to come you'll be able to relay some of these experiences to the bloke you've never met before who you'll be couped up with for 12 hours!!! otherwise he'll be ready to tear your head off after 20 minutes of you saying "oooohhh i love aviation....look at the winglets on that NG" for the 90th time!!