‘Money can’t get you that sukoon’: Man looks back at college life, hostel memories and his father paying the fees, says happiness faded after 20
Sometimes, the memories that bring the greatest comfort are not about expensive holidays, big achievements or financial success. They are about a time when life felt simpler, responsibilities were fewer and someone else was there to take care of the essentials. For X user Sunderdeep, that period was his college life, when his father paid his fees and he could enjoy the little things without worrying too much about the future.In a post that has resonated with social media users, Sunderdeep looked back at his college days, recalling the music he enjoyed, the reputation he built in his hostel and the moments he shared with his brother. What made those years special, however, was not just the memories themselves. It was the comfort of knowing that his father was there to support him. His reflection also carried a sense of loss, as he compared the happiness he experienced in college with the struggles and responsibilities that followed adulthood.
Music, hostel memories and a placement with 63%
For Sunderdeep, college was a time filled with experiences that may appear ordinary today but have stayed with him over the years. He remembered listening to music and enjoying what he described as elite playlists. He also recalled earning a certain reputation in his hostel after becoming the only student to secure a placement despite having an aggregate score of 63%. That achievement became a source of pride for him, giving him a sense of identity among his fellow students. His memories were not limited to academics or placements, though. Some of his fondest moments involved spending time with his brother and watching comedy performances by Bhagwant Mann and Bhotu Shah on a DVD player.These small details paint a picture of a period when entertainment did not require much, and happiness could be found in music, shared laughter and everyday experiences. In his post, Sunderdeep wrote, “When Dad was paying my college fee, those were my best days. I used to enjoy music, elite playlists, I built an aura in my hostel to be only student getting placed with just 63% aggregate percentage. Me & my Brother used to listen comedy from Bhagwant Mann & Bhottu Shah on DVD player.” The memories suggest that the value of those years lay not only in what he did but also in the security he felt while doing it. With his father taking care of his college fees, he could focus on enjoying student life and celebrating his achievements.
Why money cannot replace a father’s care
Looking back, Sunderdeep said he did not realise how quickly the years passed after he turned 20. He described the period that followed as difficult, reflecting on how adulthood had changed his experience of life. His words touched on a feeling many people may recognise: growing older can bring greater independence and earning power, but it can also introduce responsibilities and worries that were once handled by parents.Sunderdeep expressed this contrast by pointing out that money cannot necessarily provide the happiness and peace of mind that came from knowing his father was there to feed and support him. His post read, “After 20, I couldn’t get to know when I turned 39 but life has been miserable after 20. Money can’t get you happiness & that sukoon that your Dad is there to feed you.”The word “sukoon” captures the sense of peace he associates with those earlier years. It is not simply about being financially dependent on a parent. It is about the reassurance of knowing that someone cares for you and is willing to shoulder some of life’s burdens. His reflection also highlights how memories can change meaning with time. What once felt like an ordinary college routine can become precious years later, when the freedom and security of that phase are no longer part of everyday life.
Social media users relate to the feeling of growing up
Sunderdeep’s post prompted users to share their own interpretations of how life changes after college and as people grow older. One user commented, “Something switched post-2007. I don’t know what, but it did.” Another summed up the transition with a familiar phrase, writing, “That’s called adulting.” A third user offered a different perspective, saying, “You won in your life.”The responses reflected different ways of looking at the same experience. For some, the post captured the sudden shift from the relative ease of student life to the demands of adulthood. For others, it served as a reminder that happiness cannot always be measured by income, professional success or material possessions.Sunderdeep’s memories do not suggest that every part of college life was perfect or that adulthood has nothing to offer. Instead, his reflection centres on something that can become easier to appreciate with age: the value of being cared for before life’s responsibilities fully take over. For him, the best days were not necessarily the ones with the biggest achievements. They were the years of music, laughter, hostel memories and the reassuring knowledge that his father was there to support him. And that, he suggests, is a kind of comfort that money alone cannot bring back.
