In retrospect (Looking forward): Do you think that education was (would be) one of the best investment that you made (will make)?

I feel that all education up to tertiary level is necessary. For everyone. But once we've finished our A Levels/Poly/IB then it's generally up to us on where to go from there. Some graduates from polytechnics already have applicable skills and choose to start working immediately - I know a few people who did so.

In a place like Singapore where paper qualifications are regarded highly, I feel like taking the next step and getting a degree is essential if you want a generally decent paying job and lifestyle and also due to the fact that everyone seems to be getting a degree nowadays.

I took the IB Diploma and am choosing to pursue a degree for these reasons. Either way, it's probably difficult for me to find a job without one anyway - I didn't go to poly so I don't have the developed "specialised" skills that employers are looking for.

Yes

Yes, I think so. Maybe I have forgotten what I struggled to pick up in university, but that paper certificate allowed me to apply for the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) programme (you just need a basic degree to qualify) and subsequently fulfill my bucket-list dream of living and working overseas.

More information on the JET program: http://jetprogramme.org/en/

Also, I once applied for a creating writing instructor job which requires applicants to score As for PSLE English, O Level English and A Level GP. It's a rare example but it struck me that how we can leverage something as remotely distant from our current life situation as PSLE results in this instance, haha

I believe so!

A good education, whether financial or not, can lay the groundwork for other forms of investments later on. For example, you need to at least have some form of education on how the markets work, how to read financial statements and how to evaluate companies before you can invest in the stock market.

Even primary school education, at the P5 and P6 level with complex exam questions, trains the way you think and forces you to work your brain muscle. These payoffs may not be apparent immediately, but I believe they helped me with my thinking even now. So I feel that having a strong foundation in primary school, is still very helpful for the future.

But still, I believe that much more has to be focused on other than academic education. If you account for a holistic education, I think it's the best investment you can ever make.