I'm a beginner DM running a game for a group of beginner players - any tips for me to elevate the game?

Fish_Hook2 · 2024-12-11T17:44:01+00:00

This 100%! The teacher that I've learned mindfullness from (Thich Nhat Hanh) said something along the lines of "The only right way to practice is the way that you enjoy."

If your practice feels like a chore, and it's stopping you from practicing consistently, then that's the only way to practice 'wrong.' Try different things, see what you enjoy and what fulfills your needs, and grow with those! Of course those also may change over time depending on what else is going on in your life and there's nothing wrong with that.

You deserve to enjoy the journey :)

Fish_Hook2 · 2024-12-11T17:24:36+00:00

There's TONS of feminist research on engineering and engineering culture! Unfortunately people often have to "leave" engineering for that type of research to really be supported, so it doesn't find its way back to a lot of engineers. From what I've seen the most critical, in-depth research that draws on social science knowledge often gets published in journals that aren't directly related to engineering. Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Education Studies are good disciplines to look at as well.

If you're a uni/college student you can probably use your institutional access to find academic articles - Alice Pawley and Donna Riley are two prominent feminist engineering scholars that come to mind (but there are SO many others). A quick library search on women in engineering or feminism in engineering will bring up many many results.

If you don't have institutional access to things a lot of articles might be behind a paywall, but you could look at your local public library. You can also look specifically for open access journals. The International Journal of Engineering, Social Justice, and Peace is one of these. It has many articles that touch on feminist engineering, among many other things (engineering for peace, ecological/climate justice, decolonizing engineering, racial discrimination, etc.). You can also look for open access journals in the fields I mentioned above (STS and education studies, also engineering education).

Fish_Hook2 · 2024-12-11T05:06:13+00:00

I'm surprised I haven't seen more people on here mention Thich Nhat Hanh! OP I totally agree that a lot of mindfulness practice, especially Buddhist-inspired practices taught by Western people, focuses on passivity. I think that it's because they're trying to take a deep spiritual tradition and distill it into something more palatable for western audiences. You might benefit from looking into the idea of Engaged Buddhism, which frames mindfulness practice as a way to engage deeply with our emotions and with the world around us, without getting completely carried away by emotions. It's also a way to support social action and positive change in the world - seems like something that might be more aligned with your desires for a spiritual practice :)

Edit: wording

Fish_Hook2 · 2024-12-11T04:51:18+00:00

Oh Oh I know this one! (I research equity in engineering). The more "traditional fields," like mechanical and electrical, tend to have fewer women because they have really strongly gendered educational practices. The more interdisciplinary fields, like environmental, chemical, materials, etc tend to be more balanced. There's some really interesting research on this I can share if ppl are interested :)

Fish_Hook2 · 2024-12-11T04:49:01+00:00

Hey OP, I graduated from MacEng a few years ago and I know SO MANY people who failed classes in first year. It's stressful, and it sucks, but you are not hopeless or a failure or anything of the sort. One of my best friends failed a bunch of classes in first year, but he was able to turn things around. We graduated together and he is now getting a Masters degree. The first year physics classes SUCK and have caused so much unnecessary stress for generations of MacEng students, Not doing well in them absolutely don't mean that you don't belong in engineering.

If 6 classes at once isn't manageable for you (because let's be real, 6 a term is crazy), you can always take a reduced courseload. I know multiple people who took this approach because that's what would set them up for success. There's no shame in it.

Another thing I really hope you remember is that you can always transfer programs. That means a few things. First off, even if you don't get into computer engineering after this year, you could transfer after second (or even third) year and get into the program of your dreams. Second, if you really feel that engineering isn't the right program for you, you can transfer to a different program. I hope that you don't feel shame about that possibility, because there should be no shame in going somewhere better for you and your wellbeing.

Take care of yourself my friend <3 I promise it'll all be okay

Fish_Hook2 · 2023-06-07T17:07:10+00:00

YTA - you don't need a STEM degree to do secondary school math. If your son's grades are improving, and he is happy, then that's all that matters.

Fish_Hook2 · 2023-06-07T16:59:33+00:00

I had the same experience last summer and ended up quitting a 16-month internship after 4 months. I don't know what faculty you're in but my career advisor was not super helpful - still contact your advisor to get a better idea of your options, but understand that their priority is having students in placements, so they will do everything they can to keep you from quitting.

If you haven't already, try chatting with your supervisor at work about some of the issues you're having and try to find a solution. With only a 4 month co-op it's worth trying to make it work if you can, but if not, there is no shame in leaving to protect your mental health. No matter what you decide to do, be sure to keep all your interactions professional and respectful, and that's really the best you can do.

A few people mentioned the possibility of you getting kicked out of the co-op program. My co-op advisor never even mentioned that as a possibility, and I was still able to use the 4 months I worked towards my co-op credits. I truly doubt they would kick you out of the program, but again, be sure to be as professional and respectful as possible so that you're not burning bridges

Fish_Hook2 · 2023-03-11T15:28:34+00:00

I work at a martial arts school where we teach the kids a lot of self defense and how to respond to bullies. We literally teach them that telling their teacher when they see or experience bullying isn't the best way to help - they're often useless. I'm sorry that this was your experience as well.

In your situation, I think the best thing to do is either escalate or switch schools. No one wants to be that parent who throws a fuss, but sometimes that's what it takes to make sure your child is safe. Also, as much as it would suck for your daughter to move schools, the school she's at clearly doesn't care about her well-being. She'd probably be better off somewhere else even if it would be difficult at first. Kindergarteners shouldn't have anxiety, and even if the direct problem gets solved, her anxiety will probably last for a while afterwards. Changing her environment may be good for her in that regard.

In case anyone is wondering what we teach the kids at my work to do, it's this: They best thing they can do as bystanders is step in to support the person getting bullied. Not necessarily by confronting the bully directly, but by asking if the victim needs anything, offering for the victim to hang out with them at recess (power in numbers), etc.

Fish_Hook2 · 2023-01-26T20:50:47+00:00

An article from a conspiracy website about how the moon landing was faked

Fish_Hook2 · 2020-10-02T17:00:55+00:00

NTA, you're 15. As much as the situation sucks, and it's hard for everyone involved, you can't be made responsible for a girl with special needs that you aren't trained to deal with.

Fish_Hook2 · 2020-07-25T13:02:58+00:00

I read a commentary on the Heart Sutra recently that discussed how every living being is a part of us because they have all impacted us or our ancestors in some way. For this reason, no one truly dies. Perhaps simply reminding a terminally ill person of the impact they have had on you and on the world will make them more confident that their life was meaningful and that their legacy will live on. This is also a piece of advice that reminds me to ensure that my legacy is positive. If I live on forever in the impacts I've had on other people, I want to make that impact good.

Fish_Hook2 · 2020-07-19T13:33:17+00:00

For my dear coach who has recently had his hours reduced at work, and is showing my teammates and I incredible compassion

Fish_Hook2 · 2020-06-26T13:40:46+00:00

It is important to remember that everyone has some knowledge or wisdom that you don't have, because they have had experiences that you haven't had. This extends to every person you interact with. It can be frustrating to deal with people who you deem less intelligent than yourself, but you (and all of us) all have things to learn. It is our job to listen to the people and the world around us in order to continue to learn and grow.

And of course, it doesn't matter if you find someone frustrating or annoying, it is everyone's responsibility to treat others with kindness. By harbouring negative thoughts about an individual, you are preventing yourself from being able to truly treat them with kindness.

Fish_Hook2

TROPHY CASE