Playing a mostly magic using character, currently level 8.

I'm curious at what level I should complete the COW quest line. I've already done Sarthal (sp?), I have not been to Bleak Falls Barrow.

I admit to having a fear of doing things in the wrong order or clearing caves when I don't have a quest to do so. I don't want to "break" the game.

Thanks for helping an old noob.

i suggest lv 25, the mages circlet is leveled, but if you're not a pure mage or rping, then it really shouldn't matter when you finish the quest line.

i like to complete the COW at a low level.

i always go to bleak falls barrow after getting free stuff from riverwood. i then go to whiterun and speak to jarl balgruuf. he asks me to go to farengar so then i do and i already have the stone to give him.

the circlets leveled enchantments arent much different i dont mind getting the worst enchantment.

You can finish the entire Main Questline of the College and most of the sidequests without ever touching the Main Skyrim Questline.
Book fetching for Urag can lead to starting a Questline to get the book from a Quest locked Dungeon. I was railroaded into having to enter Markarth, but My character was in the mid-twenties and finished the Forsworn Conspircy just to get it done and over with. I have had books appear in Bleak Falls Barrow.
The only disadvantage to finising the Mages Guild quickly is the Mages Circlet given to our character is a leveled item, every other Mages Guild reward is a static item.

Thanks to all who replied for the info. That helps quite a bit.