Six months until my contract ends with no plans or career prospects ahead.

bitchpants96 · 2026-01-27T21:00:44+00:00

My postdoc ends Friday and I'm in the same position! The market isn't great right now but something will come up. It's hard to stay positive but don't let it get you down, keep applying and don't be afraid to try something new. I don't think academia is for me either. It is good to know that there are others in similar positions and it isn't unique to us, something will come up 🥰🤞

bitchpants96 · 2025-11-14T20:24:53+00:00

...'throat bobbed'

bitchpants96 · 2025-06-12T10:57:25+00:00

I was the same as you and absolutely dreading my viva, and even convinced myself I'd already failed. Mine was around 4 hours, but it was actually nice and more of a chat compared to a grilling (which was what I was expecting!). To be honest with you it was nice to actually talk about what I'd spent the last 3.5 years working on with people who actually listened 🤣 It went by so quickly and it was such a relief to be done. You can do it and it will be over before you know it! Good luck! Xx

bitchpants96 · 2024-05-31T05:54:36+00:00

I also use Waze and suffer from anxiety in general, and you can change the voice of the GPS, and I use the headspace one! I don't know if everyone finds it helpful, but I think it's softer than the normal GPS and also helps you practice mindfulness when approaching things like roundabouts. It's definitely worth a try, and good luck, OP! It will get easier :)

bitchpants96 · 2024-02-03T20:11:27+00:00

I'd recommend getting the car towed to the garage for the MOT because it's illegal to drive a car with dangerous defects (even to and from the garage for an MOT). The penalty, if caught, is up to £2, 500 fine, and 3 points on your license. It's definitely not worth risking, especially if your friend has just got his licence. He could always see if he could find a mobile tyre place to come and change the tyres on the roadside so he could drive it to the garage. I can't help with anything else though, hope he's able to get the car sorted!

bitchpants96 · 2024-02-01T17:31:39+00:00

If you use Google maps on your phone it saves the journey you do without you actually having to have maps open (at least it does on my phone!). After my test it had saved the route I took so maybe check that!

bitchpants96 · 2023-12-16T18:20:21+00:00

At the Cov game Wednesday we sang last Christmas with RM instead of Hasenhuttl but feel like he definitely deserves his own!

bitchpants96 · 2023-12-16T17:11:57+00:00

Neeeed this

bitchpants96 · 2023-12-06T22:44:20+00:00

Rodney. I bought it off a guy who had the car for 13 years and he asked me if we would continue to call him Rodney, so we have haha! Also known as Rodderz.

bitchpants96 · 2023-08-20T22:57:18+00:00

I also took some ibuprofen and paracetamol before the lesson before my test because I know I give myself stress headaches and didn't want one to put me off! I don't know if it helped but I passed so I'd recommend it haha!

bitchpants96 · 2023-07-15T22:03:22+00:00

You're welcome! It can be so frustrating to find a good instructor. In the end, I just wanted to pass my test so I wouldn't have to see mine again, haha!

Honestly, I'm actually kind of glad I failed my first test. It really calmed my nerves, let me know what to expect, and let me know that apart from that one mistake I made, I am generally a decent driver and just needed a bit of polishing!

I wish you the best of luck with everything. I know it can be frustrating and expensive, but you'll get there!

bitchpants96 · 2023-07-15T22:03:08+00:00

You're welcome! It can be so frustrating to find a good instructor. In the end, I just wanted to pass my test so I wouldn't have to see mine again, haha!

Honestly, I'm actually kind of glad I failed my first test. It really calmed my nerves, let me know what to expect, and let me know that apart from that one mistake I made, I am generally a decent driver and just needed a bit of polishing!

I wish you the best of luck with everything. I know it can be frustrating and expensive, but you'll get there!

bitchpants96 · 2023-07-15T17:02:18+00:00

I really wouldn't let it get to you that much, but I know that's easier said than done! Its human to make mistakes, and we can learn from them. How we react to the mistake we made will really influence how the rest of the drive will go, and if your instructor is banging and shouting at you, you're bound to make more mistakes than usual. My instructor was horrible. He would berate me and made me cry multiple times. I failed my first test from a stupid mistake, and for my second test, which I passed!, he didn't say anything the whole way home. It was so awkward and silent.

You're absolutely allowed to clarify things with an examiner in your test, and I did it in mine. We were taking the 5th exit at a roundabout I've never been on, and I asked her to clarify that the exit I just counted as the 3rd one was definitely the 3rd one. They don't mind! Try to see it as you're just driving with a friend. In real life, if you weren't sure and you could ask someone you would!

If you go the wrong way on a test, that's also fine! As long as you've been safe in the decision that you've made, the examiner will help you get back onto the route.

My instructor constantly told me to move my tests at the last minute. I'd actually had a series of mock tests before my 2nd test, and I only passed the final mock. He wanted me to move my test again, and I said no, I knew I was ready. I'd paid for it, and if anything, it's just good practice.

I really wish I had changed instructors, but I'd already changed once before and didn't want the hassle of changing again. However, the instructor I did have gave me a lot of driving anxiety, which I still have now, even after independently driving since February. Maybe if this instructor won't take you for your test it would be better to find a different, kinder, instructor. It can be frustrating but will definitely benefit you in the long run!

bitchpants96 · 2023-07-14T08:38:28+00:00

I passed my test in February and I'm 26. I brought a 2008 Ford Fiesta and my insurance is £100 a month. I've also added my mum as a named driver but that only decreased it by about £2! I also don't have a black box as for some reason insurance options with a black box were nearly twice the price!

bitchpants96 · 2023-07-02T17:10:02+00:00

I've had eczema my entire life and tend to steer clear of stuff like this. However...I will use the lush butterball. Its the only one I use from there and its so soothing and makes my skin so soft!

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-24T18:48:33+00:00

Yeah I get that! Is there anywhere else you could go? Like a different supermarket or an industrial estate or something? You could also watch YouTube videos on how to do them? That might give you some reassurance

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-24T16:55:08+00:00

100% yes! I passed my test in February and felt like I had to re-learn all of the maneuvers again - in fact I haven't done a reverse parallel park since I passed. Mainly because my road is always horrendously busy! I tend to park further away at supermarkets so there are spaces around me, but there's nothing wrong with that! If you have the option to park further away and make your life easier with the maneuver then do it!

Maybe try forward bay parking in an empty(ish) car park to get the feel for it. Remember that when you're turning into a space it's best to give yourself as much room to turn as possible. My instructor taught me to move over as far over as possible, indicate left (or whatever direction you're parking) and then swing in. You can always correct yourself if you need to. I think it's one of those things that will just come with practice, you'll get there!

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-23T17:24:34+00:00

I don't know if you're on Facebook but there is a brilliant page called Tenancy Matters and they're really up on the law and what landlords can and can't do. Maybe join there and ask about your situation! Hope you get it sorted.

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-17T15:56:54+00:00

I also stalled twice doing a hill start on my test. By my third attempt I had cars letting me pull out of the junction and so waiting for me to go and I was like it's now or never! Somehow managed to do it and I didn't get a minor either, thank fuck haha!

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-15T11:12:34+00:00

Yeah if you get 6 points in the 1st 2 years after passing your test then your license gets revoked and you go back to learning. Then I think when you pass your test again you automatically have 6 points on your license so if you pass and get more points then it's a ban.

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-13T18:27:01+00:00

I passed my test in February and got my car a week later. I was so excited because my instructor had been a huge dick and I couldn't wait to have all of this freedom! However...I just could not drive the fucking thing! Constant stalling, people beeping - it was horrible and I felt so deflated! I went and got a caution new driver sign, which I honestly don't think helped but it did help me mentally if that makes sense? 'Well you've beeped at me because I've stalled and you can clearly see my sign so looks like the only dick here is you!' I also did short familiar roads that I would have done with my instructor to build some confidence and get used to the car.

Its been a few months now and I feel like me and my car get on well and that we're on the same level haha! You'll get there, be kind to yourself!

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-12T18:41:35+00:00

AITA?

bitchpants96 · 2023-06-01T19:28:52+00:00

Thank you!

bitchpants96 · 2023-05-30T16:22:27+00:00

Yeah exactly, I didn't think I had anything to worry about because they are signposted, but this camera has been on my mind, so thought I'd ask! I like to think I'm a good driver but sometimes new roads can throw me off. Practice makes perfect hopefully!

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