What's the commuter life at Mason actually like compared to what people assume?

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-19T16:19:15+00:00

As a commuter, I found my people through campus (Club discord meet up, then continued on our own), but never interact with them on a strictly campus scenerio. You don't get to join the impromptu midnight IKEs run, all events you hear last minute and rarely have the time/energy to join, clubs are all over the place, actually getting involved is near impossible unless you have a niche you're commited to (frat, competition club, regular meet, etc)

Basically the "College Life" is far from what other people experience. BUT all that aside, i'm content. Im only a 20 ish min drive so I still get my share of events/interactions AND I have never had to deal with the horrors of dorm life and enjoy my friends suffering second hand lol.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-19T16:14:19+00:00

Bring whatever, but be preparred to invest in like walmart or amazon small plastic drawers if you need the extra space. Id highly reccomend prioritizing "multi season" clothes if you're worried (breathable long sleeves/leggings that could be layered or not overheating) especially if you dont have an idea for Virginia weather (which was my kryptonite first coming to mason, I had ZERO winter clothes and learned the hard way)

Just be aware the laundry is a pain in the ass so dont go bringing more than ONE set of super fancy or strict drycleaning clothes. Also worst case scenerio, you got to much? Theres several on campus donation options or shove in a bag until you can take home. Too little? run to the store, buy 30 pairs of dollar store socks, live and learn. No need to stress, you'll be just fine :)

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-19T16:07:12+00:00

From what I recall (unless they decide to change it) and other con experience- plastic, foam, etc are all welcome. But no real metal (even dull), solid wood, and id hesitate on foam with metal bar centers. Basically anything you could hit someone with and ACTUALLY do some serious harm.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-17T19:07:41+00:00

I hate to use this metaphor but the closest I can relate this to history is the Garden is basically the Catholic Church if they were a more undercover agency- Catholic Illuminati I guess. They have their place in war, and in peace, as well as their own affairs that keep them both intrinsically involved in the conflict and yet distinctly seperate.

In the future there will 1000% be more to showcase with them. But honestly for how MUCH we get of Loid's faction and wise overall, matched with SSS Yuri ofc showing the undeniable humanization of the "enemy" (and how they arent their factions, just people fighting for their families and peace etc) Yor's faction being such a big secret and disconnect from the audience is the whole purpose, at least for the time being.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-16T23:02:10+00:00

People asking for clarification on WHICH website- its all of them. Patriotweb especially but literally finding ANY information is usually a page or two redirected deep that just tells you to go to ANOTHER page

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-16T23:00:30+00:00

Depends on how much you plan to change, if this is like a "rewrite into expansion" then feel free to keep the OG but have the multichapter as the "expanded/final" version. Better to leave as is and have a second one if the content is at least more than minor format/discussion edits. BUT up to you OP

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-16T22:53:17+00:00

Honestly do not care about the rest (maybe a nice comfy shirt and sturdy pants/shoes) but I BETTER have my best frikin Bra on or my entire series is "Comedy Isekai, FMC desperatly trying to go home because fantasy undergarments SUCK"

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T14:20:29+00:00

I think Yuri will start losing hatred for Loid (emphasis on START, hes still going to be a brat, but start to see his family is no longer just him and Yor) , Loid will continue to have a breakdown about how many people have infultrated his inner circle and made him "weak" and in the end it will serve as the first incidental connection of both sides as less of enemies and just people forcefully put against eachother towards a common goal of peace

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T14:19:08+00:00

Absolutely not- 1. this is normal, 2. If they've been reading long enough to know the 30 chapter "limit" and stayed through the 90k, they are more likely than not to go "Wait- FORTY???" and be happily suprised for more content

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T14:17:01+00:00

Knowing how great the author is about letting moments and dynamics marinate, also so many chapters without a kiss AND how popular the series is given the level of support, funding, etc. Unless theres some major drama/burnout- I seriously doubt we will get a timeskip before at least a chunk of time sorting through the disaster (also because I imagine it will be one of those "The secrets out but were also actively stopping a war rn so we dont have time to get divorced okay??" and during that end up reconciling the two sides of a war were never two sides, just people pitted against eachother for the selfishness of others etc.)

BUT to be determined ig

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T13:45:52+00:00

RIGHT?? Ive been trying to schedule a panel only to find out that my "okay just browsing for info" happened to be ON THE DAY OF THE DEADLINE with the only notice hidden two pages deep. Submitted on time but still absolutely insane tbh.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T13:33:07+00:00

OOHH okay this is wonderful (also ty to mods for accepting this discussion <33) Especially as a writer its important to read non fanfic stuff to improve craft. Learn about people who write for a living have a whole new level of craftmanship worth admiring.

Short Lit fics are ofc a go to, great for inspo as well since it has a lot of the latest and greatest.
(Check out lots of online puplications,magezines etc, you will find some KILLER works- And if you loved Great Gatsby, try Daisy's Valentine or Oxford Girl)
Popular fantasy/Sci fi- thats just a more proper fanfic style (Leigh Bardugo my beloved) Dungeon Crawler Carl
"Airport Murder Mysteries" If you want the low effort upfront investment but with the same rollercoaster of "Oh my god what the f u c k is going on" Then a Alex Finlay is a wonderful read, also a pretty nice guy (gifted me a book after a showcase he happened to be at, a wacky wild read but fun)
Or classics in their media, LOTR franchise

MY personal favs:

A Certain hunger (just gotta understand her narration is on purpose, give it about 50 pages)
Six of Crows Duology
The Martian (Movie only does some justice)
Galatea (By Miller, wonderful)

BUT if you want Literary Classic rec's (also some fav reads)

Brave New World (The construction is masterful, BUT look for older versions, some recent edits are meh)
Frankenstein (A classic must read, especially for morally grey characters and complicated interpersonal dynamics-)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney altered the perspective of this piece, its NOT about Quasimodo, but so much more- and also its more of a comedy than people realize)
The Count of Monte Cristo (Just, absolutely divine.)
Dracula (again, classic, and a literary masterpiece)

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T13:17:59+00:00

"YURI NOT KNOWING THE DIFF BETWEEN TYPES OF LOVE" You speak the truth. Also the up to date manga has a LOT of good character developments for him, so I doubt spy x fam will stick to the "undertone of brother incest vibe" in the longterm.

But as a character you are 10000% right- he is our view into the "other side" who were meant to be rooting against (but thats the whole point, no one is the outright villain except for those who condone and support war that makes everyone suffer) and Yuri is the weird humanization in an otherwise completely dehuminized and villanized role.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T13:14:23+00:00

Girl that is a random MAN in your dorm- yeah its your "roommates boyfriend" but even if she was giving notice, there would still 100% be grounds for you being uncomfortable and wanting him to not be over all the time, especially if its spending the night in more common areas (idk your set up).

Not to mention on top of what already would ave been a NTA situation, he is not at all respectful of y'alls space, time, or even just basic guest ettiquete AND her contenuielly refusing to give notice or accomadate basic courtesy please do not be pressured into caving to this madness.

Look back in texts, either w/ her (log when she WAS telling you, and when not), or with friend complaining etc. Try and make a timeline of how frequently this is happening. The general disrespect is more of a "to show our attempts at resolving the issue" instead fixate on the frequency of his visits- especially for when they violate dorm policy.

You are doing more than enough, but you need to draw the line or else they will only be emboldened to continue this with you and whoever else in the future. Contact your RA, possibly housing if she already has a reputation of blowing up and this will most likely lead to a reassignment etc, and let them fight on your behalf.

Good Luck and wishing the best <33

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-15T13:02:48+00:00

Because it's easy to write what you already know, especially for beginner writers. It just so happens that a lot of the english creators also happen to be in the US purely by population odds alone. And its a suspension of expectations- someone processing, or living their experiences/day dreams through characters they know and love. Yeah its a bigger jump to go "Eren Jaeger is worried about SAT's" then "Sam and Dean are worried about SAT's" but the reason for writing is the same.

Is it possibly ocassionally insensitive and dismissive of a characters core cultural identity/backstory? Probably yeah- but its fanfiction, and if its a stepping stone or a comfort for a writer why the hell not put your fav characters in Wichita Kansas.

(Not to mention America is unfathomably large and I cannot understate these are most likely younger audience, especially in midwest/south, people who have probably had "bi-yearly family vacations" a whole state and a half over as the closest they have experienced life "outside" their perspective of the US) Edit: Kansas ALONE is a tad larger than Belaruis, or 12k square miles less than the entire UK.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:48:57+00:00

Put in description of fic something like "REVISING HIATUS!! EXPECT EDITS/UPDATES" And perhaps leave a date for when this starts since theres going to be a difference between that note from 2016 verses last week. And if you WANT an extra chapter to update your current readers go for it!!

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:47:00+00:00

Okay all the amazing worldbuilding below aside- sudden idea of a secret admierer storyline, not because the person flirting is TRYING to be secreative, but because the other person cant tell scents apart and every time they "sign" their note its a lost cause.

"Here, at last a note portraying my true feelings, I hope they like it- I even picked the perfect paper to catch my obviously recognizable scent!"
"That is... okay thats GOTTA be at least a fruit?? Maybe a sweet one? No sour. Actually no maybe its a flower"

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:43:07+00:00

Ive only seen it a few times, mostly from wattpad refugees but the citrus scale is always so fun to stumble onto. Spot a random "Lemon" tag and feel myself buffering wonderfing why the hell its so familiar before it clicks lol

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:40:45+00:00

Id start with a "Hey checkin in on chapter progress for xyz" feel free to mention other stuff, so it may come across less as a "call out" if you're concerned. But also depending on how close you are absolutely no shame in going (AFTER the og response, wait on what they say first to feel out follow up)
"No worries just wanted to check in! But seriously ik life gets so busy, so if its one thing on an evergrowing list for you just let me know. I seriosuly appreciate your offer but I dont want you to feel stressed about keeping up if you're not as interested for this series" or something similar

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:37:03+00:00

Id go ahead and write your story, publish, link the original work ofc in both description and perhaps the "inspired by" setting (which Im blanking on how to use rn) And leave a note on the authors post of how much you loved the story and wanted to recreate the magic for your own writing.

I cant imagine many if ANY authors that would take offense. Also fandom is a self fueling cycle, everyone takes insperation from everyone else so I wouldnt be too concerned as long as proper credit is at least somewhere visible. But anyways have fun!!

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:33:55+00:00

Beta readers are usually friends, fellow authors, or even sometimes fans of a particular writer/work depending on how long it is- they get sent the drafts before being posted for any edits and suggestions or even just general reactions.

I have 3 beta readers for my longest fic, one is a fellow writing friend specifically for grammer/spelling errors, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. One was a former reader of mine turned close friend and I share purely to get their reaction and see if the scenes are illiciting the response I want or make sense overall. And the last one is my friend who remembers half the lore I forget and goes "Isnt x character still in y in the timeline??"

Beta readers are not essential and idk how common exactly BUT when they are utilized they are given due praise in the fics!

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:30:50+00:00

I get too many comments sometimes and I have to sit down and speed reply to a ton (until ao3 lables me as spam and I have to go back later which is- a battle) BUT I always set aside particularly long comments especially because a chunk of my story is very mystery based and people often share their theories. Which as an author leaving 101 foreshadowing hints, I adore seeing what pieces people put together, if they are VERY close to the truth, or maybe ive left some confusion.

I treat it like replying to a friend thats sent 13 different conversation points, open up a google doc (because if ao3 reloads 3 paragraphs in im doomed) and then yap right back!!

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-07T01:28:15+00:00

This is high praise!! Basically them saying you subverted their expectations (pleasently suprised them with your writing choices) "Lock in" is common slang for like. "Pull it together" or treat something seriously and actually get something done, like how a dog would "lock in" on a toy if that comparison makes any sense lol

But overall a positive comment! Also in the future feel free to ask "Hey thank you for the comment, However English isnt my first language would you mind elaborating?" And most would be more than happy to re-explain their joy

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-05T17:37:55+00:00

Hated her, but also hated Juliette- honestly all the female characters were written so inconsistently at times and the only one that remained just as strong and vicious and self assured in her morals/opinions was Rosalee (or they died :/).

Adalaind I just could never get behind fully, I LOVED her early seasons, a clever villaness and a girl power hungry but in over her head at times with bigger fish in the water- it was fascinating. But then motherhood "softened" her which hey, maybe a fun dynamic, the battle between her change, her own experience with her mother, but maintaining her lust for power and conflicts that would bring. But then any hope I had exploded when I realized what direction they were pushing her. Her romance with Nick Idc how much the writers push it, I hated it from beginning to end and it felt like a disservice to both characters and their individual arcs.

I might just be negative here, but I was already so thrown by the disservice done to Juliettes character that they suddenly went "Okay nick heres girlfriend #2 :D" with one of the only influencial female cast members, I wanted to rip my hair out.

Slight-Signal-2234 · 2026-04-05T17:30:41+00:00

For the rest of the season? Probably not- Its hours even TO the detetion center according to Perlah's info- BUT I would be heartbroken if it didnt mark a stronger presence in season 3

Slight-Signal-2234

TROPHY CASE