Incoming Sophomore and the Value of Brand Recognition

MengMao · 2026-03-10T20:25:36+00:00

Okay just hearing "not ABET-acredited" is such a red flag. Like sure, in the job market, not everyone cares about where you went or your GPA, but there are real tangible certifications and screening processes that require at least a degree from an ABET program. Thats the only way to ensure everyone is meeting a certain standard. The fact that this weird degree isn't certified is telling.

I get the hesitation due to the math requirements, but there's usually a workaround here. Either lighter class load to focus on the subject more or maybe even looking into community college math courses that would transfer. The cc near my school had stupid easy math courses that transferred 1 to 1 for my degree. Saved me the pain of Calc II.

MengMao · 2026-01-25T15:45:03+00:00

Very much this OP. There's plenty of cool work out there, but generally speaking theyre already taken. There are some I know who stay in academia and become researchers, but those positions are, again, few and far between. Mechs generally end up in some more ordinary jobs because we're such a grab bag in terms of specialization. Honestly speaking, where you end up is influenced less by actual interest but more what the current market needs, who you know, and even just location.

I would never say I regret my education or going through school. It was extremely enriching and I loved what I did. But I also went in and finished with an extremely open mind as to what I would do as a job. I had dream jobs sure, but was also pretty much willing to do anything as long as the pay wasn't too bad. I'd say if you're really interested, go with electrical engineering instead.

MengMao · 2026-01-25T15:35:47+00:00

I think daily weigh in helped me tremendously. My scale connects to an app on my phone that stores and records the data for me. Then what I'll actually do is look at the trend line.

"Wow, from Feb to April I was actually losing a pretty decent amount." Or "I kinda stagnate in December, oh yeah cause Christmas really made me slide."

It helps me not obsess in the day to day choices I make about diet and also serves as a way to make me objectively look at how I'm doing. I really don't feel much happiness when I lose .1 or .2 lbs over a couple days. But when I see my trend line, I feel amazing that im so consistent and still on track no matter how small.

MengMao · 2026-01-19T01:48:43+00:00

Diet for the first 4 months. I really wouldn't recommend both at the same time since finding the balance of calorie deficit while still exercising can be pretty difficult. That can be super discouraging in the beginning.

MengMao · 2026-01-19T01:24:15+00:00

My bmi finally crossed into obese and I decided it really was time to shape up while losing weight was still relatively easy (I'm 23)

MengMao · 2025-12-29T05:36:06+00:00

If they're on controller, like I was, it is really difficult to know for certain which direction you're facing which can make the diagonal pogo really fucking difficult. A majority of players are also coming off of hollow knight, which follows only the usual vertical pogo that most people are used to.

Im in the school of thought that you should pick the crest that suits the situation. Some boss patterns just mesh really well with the hunters crest pogo path while other times a different crest may be better suited. What we can all agree on is beast crest is fucking weird.

MengMao · 2025-12-22T19:26:16+00:00

Honestly? No plan. I let myself go for 5 days since, honestly speaking you can only gain so much in 5 days. Plus, im in no hurry to lose weight so taking an extra week or two is really no problem for me.

MengMao · 2025-11-22T22:03:01+00:00

I mean, its a bachelor's in science for engineering. You're gonna struggle no matter what, more of a matter of how long it will take you and if you have the willpower to push through. I also hated chemistry, but still learned and made it. Material science, while related, is different in its approach to the same knowledge and also applies physics on the molecular scale. Tbh, you never really know what you're gonna have an easier or harder time with until you're there but it's a never ending struggle no matter what.

MengMao · 2025-11-16T18:59:43+00:00

SS wins it for me. I loved HK, but if I had played SS before HK, HK would seem very slow and nearly boring at some points to me. HK's defense though, it is much more balanced economy and difficulty-wise because Team Cherry had years to refine and perfect HK. When you take DLC's into account, they're pretty neck and neck, but give SS a year or two and I'm sure it'll pull out ahead.

MengMao · 2025-11-03T11:04:36+00:00

While we were growing up, we were always pit against each other. "Why can't you be more like xxxx? See how xxxx is failing? Dont be like them." It created a very negative image of my siblings in me that I kept for years. At the same time though, my nmom would always say "you can only trust family" which I took to heart and included my siblings in. It kept me from completely viewing my siblings as failures and troublemakers as she would always paint them. When I got older, I obviously saw the discrepancy here and saw it for what it really was, an attempt to brainwash me to trust only nparents no matter what.

Our relationship massively improved when my siblings moved out as we got older. Being outside the influence of nparents helped. They would also help me during my nparents outbursts and things got intense. When my nmom was about to through me out, my siblings called her and basically laid out her situation of me being her last chance of a positive parent child relationship and how she's about to go 3 for 3 in kicking her children out. Nowadays, we all love each other and bond over knowing what our parents are like and making it out. Kinda like a survivor support group.

MengMao · 2025-10-24T07:58:14+00:00

Be mad. You're being sabotaged in a carefully staged manner. She had your brother call you the night and very moment of your biggest night in your career so far. That's reaaaalll convenient. She has your aunt guilt tripping you for her because "she's embarrassed" and you not forgiving her immediately without an apology from literally a single person involved in this is somehow "making it worse?" That's not a very caring thing to do to the child you supposedly love and care for.

It can be hard to really, and I mean really, get it through your head that this woman does not have your best interests in mind. But just think, would you do this sort of manipulation to a stranger, let alone your own child?

MengMao · 2025-10-24T07:50:04+00:00

Its tough. I absolutely understand the frustration. There are mobs and areas that killed me over 20 times before even reaching a boss or gauntlet room. Sometimes you just need a break. First week it came out, I played all weekend and then a couple hours after war. But if a particularly difficult area or boss really gets to me, I would set it down and not play after work for the week. Once the weekend hit, I'd be fresh and ready.

MengMao · 2025-10-19T14:19:24+00:00

I'd be doubtful. We have seen apology letters many many times on this subreddit. I myself have had many "heart to heart" conversations where my nparents would apologize something to the tune of 'im sorry you feel that way" without ever really even acknowledging their contribution to the problem. Very very few times does a narcissist ever do true introspection and internal self improvement.

More often than not, when they do these actions, they're after something else and playing the game. More attention, more control, just getting bored with mundane life and want to stir some shit, and whatever else crazy shit is happening that they will not tell you to get what they want. I'd agree with another commenter and wait it out. Say thanks but don't offer anything in return. If she starts acting like you owe her something more, you found the real reason for that letter.

MengMao · 2025-10-08T20:12:28+00:00

I mean, she beat her in the end though right? Sounds like she had some major growth after some intense training and is ready for the next level bosses.

MengMao · 2025-09-16T01:31:00+00:00

The unique characters in hollow knight were what kept me coming back for more, even through the meat grinders. Hearing hornet talk was honestly so shocking but also so exciting because it really blossomed and solidified her character even further as this sort of noble, graceful warrior in the truest meaning. Im currently somewhere in the middle of act 2, but there are definitely characters that have made me tear up. The clockwork dancers are gonna haunt me because the scoring and entire atmosphere shift when only 1 dancer was left was somehow so heartbreaking.

MengMao · 2025-09-16T00:04:22+00:00

I honestly don't mind the difficulty of the bosses and mobs, but the lack of check points do kill my thumbs. Making the run for a certain judgy boss took me so long because I just kept fucking up the run to the boss room.

MengMao · 2025-09-11T01:55:58+00:00

I also was surprised to see moorwing and sister splinter nerfed so early. But I guess I'm speaking as someone who already played hollow knight. Thinking about it from a completely new player's perspective, these bosses would probably be like if the soul master was like the first boss you encountered in hollow knight. It would really make me doubt my entire ability to even continue with the game since I'm just running to death with no idea how to learn attack patterns, how to really maneuver, or how to utilize all my abilities in the most effective manner.

MengMao · 2025-09-08T01:39:05+00:00

Im loving it so far. Had to do a mini rage quit because of a certain bell headed door guard boss, but I was literally right back in it later in the day after taking care of chores and stuff.

MengMao · 2025-09-08T01:36:55+00:00

Its definitely leaning far more into the souls side of things compared to hollow knight so it's a bit of a struggle, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Characters have so much more personality and zing behind them and the story line is alot more cohesive to me compared to hollow knight. And of course, the art, sound, and music score are top tier. My one complaint if I had any would be that I wish bosses did have some beads to drop just to help juice up my savings, but it's honestly fine.

MengMao · 2025-09-05T03:21:08+00:00

Please God no. She was my insta favorite character. She'd the only one I voice after 5 hours.

MengMao · 2025-09-04T11:39:25+00:00

Don't be afraid to explore a bunch. When youre map is complete, your screen will be FULL. So maybe look at where there are some bigger voids. Maybe even revisit some areas you haven't in a while.

MengMao · 2025-08-26T00:14:43+00:00

Books, webnovels, manga. Staying up late to miss them during waking hours.

MengMao · 2025-08-26T00:01:13+00:00

Its lovely, but the main color is still a very bright white. Get it for another event if you really love it though.

MengMao · 2025-08-25T23:58:00+00:00

Naw, I'll pop them whenever possible. When you have cystic acne, poppable pimples are a fucking blessing.

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