A newish roommate told me he is thinking about going back to finish his education and get a better job, and when I asked him why, he said he thinks it's because he wants more things and better status.  He sees a lot of people with plenty of money and status around him, and he thinks he'd be happier if he were in their positions.  I have seven years of experience on him, although my life is different no matter who he might be, so I could only help him by telling him what I know.  I told him I've learned during my twenties that although material gains and improvement of position with age are necessary skills for survival and psychologically rewarding after you've put in the necessary work, there is plenty of time for all of that.  Investing in skills is far more important than investing in things or titles that don't actually represent who you are.  I think that the most valuable investments one can be fortunate to make during one's 20's are in one's abilities to work hard, develop stamina, connect with, understand and care about other people, and improve who one is as a person, in any way.