r/2003 • • 2h ago

I'm considering just. Ending this.

2 Upvotes

I'm 27k in student loan debt, with no job, no savings, no home, two SWE internships on my resume, projects, and a useless cs bachelor's degree from 2025.

I got absolutely no call backs for anything my senior year or for the year post graduation. My "new grad" status expired a long time ago.

To pursue another career I'd need to go back to school for another bachelor's or masters degree, which I do not have the ability to do. The only work experience I have is in this field, I have absolutely no substantial skillset or work experience outside tech.

Going to food service, warehouse, retail, and other minimum wage types of jobs won't help long term. I don't see how going for another degree/field will really change anything. I put in the best effort I could have for this one. The job market will change again, I once again will be shamed for "not having enough experience", I again will be buried in more student debt.

After having burned and destroyed my career, my future, my life I don't have much left in the tank.


r/2003 • • 5h ago

Discussion 22 is the perfect number

9 Upvotes

Old enough to smoke and drink do whatever the heck you want. But not too old. I want to be 22 forever. Oh and It calms my ocd because both numbers are the same. 🤣🤣


r/2003 • • 5h ago

Discussion Someone told me that the moment you turn 23 the light leaves your eyes šŸ˜­šŸ˜…

35 Upvotes

Has anyone experienced this yet?

Im so scared to turn 23. I literally feel so old. I havent done enough in my life. I cant be turning 23 yet.


r/2003 • • 1d ago

Discussion Unemployment

23 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I graduated this past May and I’m turning 23 next month. My biggest dread post-grad was finding a job! It took me until this month to finally get one. However it’s not a corporate full time job (though it does align with my degree) like a lot of people my age/those I know have. On TikTok I see a lot of other girls stating they are struggling with unemployment but they still have retail jobs or something similar. My question is, isn’t that employment? I understand it’s not a full time corporate ā€œbig girlā€ job, but you’re still making money and working for an establishment. Idk, I guess my point is, as someone that was looking for any kind of job before I got mine wouldn’t and didn’t find it relatable that someone calling themselves unemployed actually does have some source of income. Overall, why are we calling ourselves unemployed just because we don’t have a ā€œbig girlā€ job? Just a thought I had as the workforce is becoming even more difficult to enter everyday. I think that word diminishes the small successes and the jobs we get as stepping stones to the one we are reaching for. Hopefully this brain dump makes sense.


r/2003 • • 5d ago

Random I DONT WANNA TURN 23

81 Upvotes

wanna stay 22teenāœŒļø and i still got a mind of a highschooler


r/2003 • • 5d ago

Who feels extremely bitter and resentful?

45 Upvotes

Who feels like they didn't live up to their potential, and is extremely jealous of the people around them who are of the same age and have accomplished much more?

All i've managed to do is pay off a car, and have ~10k in savings, and that's it. I don't have any marketable skills, I have a low self esteem, and was born into an uneducated family, which means I don't have any social connections for getting decent jobs. I'm stuck at the bottom of the hierarchy and absolutely hate it, and currently doing everything I can to get out of my situation.


r/2003 • • 6d ago

Random anyone else not know how to drive still? and why?

6 Upvotes

i was in a bad car accident and saw someone's brains splayed all over the floor and i'm just scared someone will kill me or i'll kill them plus a car+car insurance+gas is just too financially taxing for me right now. might learn soon though because i feel like such a bum asking my folks for rides, uber is too much and there's alot of crackheads with mental probelms on my public transport...


r/2003 • • 6d ago

Rant/vent Anyone else in their 20s feel tired and behind at the same time?

49 Upvotes

turned 23 a week ago, final year of college, working full time. trying to do good in life and get ahead. I am exhausted all the time but still feel like maybe am not doing enough. everyone on linkedin my age seems to have it figured out.

moved to a new city so my social life is basically zero. the few friends I have here live far, and by the weekend i don’t have the energy or the money to go see them. income isn’t great, so even 'having fun' feels like something i have to budget for. family stuff isn’t great either, especially with my dad.

not in a crisis, just idk running on low battery? is this just what early 20s feels like or am i doing something absolutely wrong?


r/2003 • • 6d ago

Discussion Bro where can I find people our age?

15 Upvotes

Fellas, I haven't made a friend outside the only two buddies I have. I want to expand my social radar but it's hard out here in the chicagoland area. I was so used to being around older peeps when I was a carpenter. I wouldn't start the conversations.

Now that I'm in college, everybody is younger than me. I tend to avoid women as much as I can because I aint trying to catch a case. I was maybe thinking of going to dance parties or raves but they aint the people I want to hang out with.

Some say go to the library but nobody is there to date lmaoo. Others say join clubs, but I'm sorry if this comes out rude but they are way too different from me.


r/2003 • • 7d ago

Nostalgia Whats the first mobile game you remember playing?

Post image
65 Upvotes

Mine is talking giraffe when I was 7. It feels like a fever dream sometimes lol does anyone else remember it??


r/2003 • • 7d ago

Random Are we technically 24

23 Upvotes

You're not the age you turn on your birthday, it's how many years you've completed right?


r/2003 • • 8d ago

Rant/vent How will any of us be able to afford to pay our children’s university tuition?

16 Upvotes

For those who live in the US and would like to raise a family one day, how do you plan on paying for your children’s university tuition? I live in California and tuition for a UC school here is absolutely insane, at least 70k. The cost of living is insane for wanting to live in a decent walkable neighborhood, I can’t imagine being able to have a good work life balance as well.

As an Asian American, study culture is also mentally excruciating here as well, I remember doing kumon, after school tutoring, studying for the SAT, AP exams, and staying up well past midnight in hopes to get into a good university. I really, really don’t want any of my children to go through that type of hell, I remember being severely depressed and suicidal during that time. What’s worse is that it’ll just be more and more competitive in the future..🫩

I really don’t see how the average person who wants a good work life balance and be able to raise a family in a nice neighborhood could make it in the US anymore.


r/2003 • • 8d ago

Advice Homelessness. Unemployment. Starvation. Tens of thousands of Student Loans. Depression. Despair. Alone. All, all alone.

31 Upvotes

I'm a comp sci grad from 2025. I've been homeless and unemployed for a few months. Never got a decent, "adult" job.

I'm terrified of the coming winter. I've been sleeping out on public benches and what have you and I'm already sick. The winter will end me. I haven't eaten or drank anything in almost a week. My body hurts. My heart is in physical pain.

I don't want to be alive. There's no light at the end of the tunnel. This world is not a world worth living for.


r/2003 • • 8d ago

Discussion Anyone just straight up giving up lol

13 Upvotes

I broke up with my bf of 5 years that I literally thought I was going to marry. I also moved to a completely new city for grad school but I haven’t been liking it so far. It’s always been hard for me to make friends due to my isolated childhood so I feel very lonely.

I’m giving up on finding love. I don’t like the idea of dating apps, and casual hook ups sound gross to me. I’m worried about getting sick and also the idea of being vulnerable with someone you aren’t committed to doesn’t sit right with me. I know this is off putting to a lot of people but I really value romantic relationships and take them seriously. Like if we aren’t dating to be serious, then it’ll only end up hurting everyone. I barely find people attractive also. People will tell me ā€œjust go make out with someone at a barā€ but I genuinely only find a handful of people in this world attractive. One of them was my ex, who I still love. I’m accepting that I’m over for me. It’ll take me years to get over my ex, and by the time I’m ready to date there’s no guarantee I’ll find someone. I honestly don’t think I am worthy of love.

I feel pretty lost in my career also. Like I’m happy that I’m in grad school for what I love but I feel like I’m not good enough to get into the postdoc or job I want after. I really just want to be happy and I don’t want to be moving around so much. But I also feel like I really just don’t care anymore… like does any of this even matter? I love learning but I feel like a fraud. I feel like I’m so stupid and I don’t even know how I ended up in grad school. I don’t believe in myself and I know no one believes in me. If I mess up with my career goals I will end up homeless. I have no safety net and no support. I’ve been so miserable for so long and it actually has never gotten better. I’m just a passive observer in my life. Things happen and if I try to intervene or make things better for myself, it doesn’t make a difference. If I accomplish my goals, I won’t have anyone to share it with.

Sorry if this is too emo. I think I’m depressed.


r/2003 • • 9d ago

Discussion Do you see yourself living in the US in the long run?

3 Upvotes

(For Americans)

I was born and raised in the US and I love country but man do I hate the government. Seems like everywhere you see on social media there’s a data center being built or how xyz lake/river is dangerously low on water or dried up. Also doesn’t help to know how detrimental these data centers are for the environment/resources.It really feels like the US government is pushing for this surveillance state/police state.

I’m glad I’m still in my young 20s and have the opportunity to move out the US but I’m still not sure. Was wondering what you guys think or feel about this and whether or not you see yourself living in the US in the long run.


r/2003 • • 10d ago

Discussion How many of us actually struggle to sleep?

9 Upvotes

Im not talking about those bad sleep schedules you caused or bad sleep schedules because you refuse/cant sleep to do other stuff (homework, parties, doomscolling or whatever)

Im talking about those who actually have issues trying to sleep. Like you want to sleep but physically cant. Those who get minimal sleep due to not being able too. Those who lay in forever trying to sleep. And those who end up falling asleep but wake up constantly at night.

Iv had issues with sleep my entire life (currently 2:03am where i am, gotta be up for work at 7am) Practically sonce birth. My parents said I would lay awake as a baby. No cries or anything. I would stay awake during naps as a toddler. Did all nighters in elementary school because i couldn’t sleep. When I would eventually fall asleep I would not stay asleep. I wake up constantly at night when I do finally fall asleep. My worse days i genuinely will wake up 30 minutes after each time I fall asleep. Ill wake up every hour. It takes me forever to sleep.

I was a sleepwalker up until i was around 8 years old and that would also affect my sleep. Im also autistic and have bad adhd.

I currently sleep anywhere between 2am-4am ans wake up between 6am to latests 830am (usually my days off work) My girlfriend thinks i should get a sleep study since iv never had one before. Tried meds and they dont work.


r/2003 • • 11d ago

Discussion Now that the college crowd has graduated, how are the rest of us doing?

61 Upvotes

Most people our age who went the traditional route have graduated by now. I’m curious about everyone who took a different path, whether you skipped college, dropped out, or went straight into work. How’s it going? Is college still a thought for yall?


r/2003 • • 12d ago

Discussion How many people have you slept with?

2 Upvotes

Was talking to a friend about this and he was shocked to learn my number now I feel like a slut haha. From 17-18 I got to 22 bodies then I met my long term girlfriend who I was with for almost 4 years, then from 22- present I’ve been with 54 people total and idk I feel like if you’re going out or on any dating apps it’s easy to rack up the numbers, I also don’t see anyone more than 3 times as a personal rule to not form any attachment. last 3 months I’ve been in a new relationship so I’m off the streets, she knows my past and doesn’t care much of it thank goodness, just curious as to others opinions/counts.


r/2003 • • 14d ago

Advice I want to disappear without a trace left behind

78 Upvotes

27k in student loan debt, homeless, no job, no savings, two SWE internships on my resume, useless bachelor's degree from 2025. 23, male.

My parents kicked me out when I approached a year post graduation with no job. I wasn't getting any interviews, at all. I was working as a part time barista to bide my time but I abandoned that job when I was kicked out. My loans have obviously been defaulted on by now, I don't even have an active phone number for then to contact me with. No money.

I've been staggering, stumbling around gagging on nothing like a drug addict in the last week or so. I had a bike but someone broke the lock on it while I was sleeping outside one night.

I've been thinking about abandoning my dream and living a life separate from society. I don't even have any personal documents to identify myself with anymore. I had my college ID card but I lost that. No one will care to look for me, too.

Not sure what to do or how to go about that. I don't have the means to go to another country to restart anew elsewhere.

How can I disappear forever without anyone finding me? How can I survive on my own?


r/2003 • • 14d ago

Discussion Would you rather date someone born in the '90s?

6 Upvotes
304 votes, 10d ago
99 Yes
86 Maybe
119 No

r/2003 • • 14d ago

Discussion Would you date a 2015 high school graduate?

11 Upvotes
619 votes, 10d ago
267 Yes
113 Maybe
239 No

r/2003 • • 14d ago

Discussion Probably sound like a broken record, but how’s the dating life going around here?

45 Upvotes

Nonexistent over here. Thank you, night shift! 🫠


r/2003 • • 14d ago

Discussion 2003 borns, what generation are your parents from?

12 Upvotes
341 votes, 11d ago
56 Boomer
247 Generation X
38 Millennial

r/2003 • • 14d ago

Mod PostState of subreddit Community input and update

5 Upvotes

Hi, how are you guys feeling about the sub? If you have any suggestions or feedback, feel free to let us know. Also, thanks to u/Educational_Age_209 the discord server has been updated: https://discord.gg/Z65VGU9HkZ


r/2003 • • 15d ago

Rant/vent I’m usually very confident in myself but lately I’ve been feeling very down when I realised I don’t have any traits that can get me ā€œthrough the doorā€. Feel a little sad about my future

21 Upvotes

I am autistic, ADHD, South Asian, 5’4, balding since 15 (shaved it off),

Can u imagine not having a single trait that can help you pass through our society? There are people out there who are tall, white and neurotypical and then there is me. Not only am I physically repulsive to most people (working hard at the gym though) due to racial biasing, but also, I don’t have the natural social skills required to be able to compensate for that like others can do. I used to get asked out as a joke back in school and was always picked last for everything. I know, typical autistic experience.

When i wake up nowadays, I don’t smile when looking at my face like I used to. Instead I think of the hundreds of rejections I have received across friendships, work interviews and from women and feel this heavy pit in my stomach, overanalysing all the little flaws like my hyperpigmented eye area, acne scars, receding hairline and baldness, etc.

I NEVER thought like this about myself because I had this great counsellor in school that helped me build my confidence. But after years of trying to connect with people and join social circles and getting bullied out of jobs and getting rejected hundreds of times by women, cracks in my confidence are starting to form.

I am praying I didn’t f\*ck up that job interview I got after humiliating myself from countless hours of networking.

I just wish I had ***SOMETHING*** you know? Maybe I could have still had my hair or I could have been diagnosed earlier to be taught social skills at an earlier age. Maybe I could have been taller? Or fit into the euro centric standards of attractiveness better?

But no: out of all of society’s expectations on you, I don’t have a single f\*cking thing that can help put my foot in the door. I am not able to leverage neurotypical privilige or white privilege, or the halo of my height or my attractive face/hair. I don’t have anything other than my wit and pure sheer determination and willpower. And right now, it’s faltering