Well you know this is really all up to you. You should know better when it comes to educating yourself. But as for me, I went all the way based on nothing else but first-hand experience. It is good to have a good knowledge about it prior to even starting your Bitcoin career but it is extremely a totally different phase when you are all alone. You will soon realize that almost all Bitcoin decisions will most likely not be based on theory but based on data you have collated through experience. Formal education or experience - either may work for you. But again, these matters are better left for newbies to decide.