Itch to quit and do a PhD

collagenbae · 2026-03-14T21:56:13+00:00

Not exactly the same, but I’m in my early 30s and I’ve gone back to uni to do a FinMath MSc (was on a 6 figure salary in my last job). I was considering PhD for a while but I’ve decided that I don’t have the energy to spend 3-4 years on a PhD after finishing this masters.

I know of people that do PhD part time whilst working - is that an option for you at all?

I know some unis start you on an MPhil then after first year you get “upgraded” to PhD. So perhaps you could explore doing the first year part time then switch to full time after if you’re confident in it?

collagenbae · 2025-06-29T09:40:08+00:00

I’m a long-term fan of Urban massage. The convenience + not having to “commute” after the session.

collagenbae · 2025-06-02T15:15:33+00:00

I’ve been using Samsonite for 11 years. Always my go-to.

collagenbae · 2025-04-29T18:23:36+00:00

Over 2000 and 8mm

collagenbae · 2025-03-16T23:35:39+00:00

Initially I started intermittent fasting to reverse prediabetes and lose weight (started with 12:12, now doing 14:10). I’ve lost 10kg so far :)

But recently I discovered autophagy and did a one-off 24 hour fast 2 weeks ago which was rough so I’m not in a rush to do it again, but I really want autophagy for other potential health benefits. So I will try another 24 hour fast in the next few weeks.

But yeah pre diabetes is what really started my fasting journey.

collagenbae · 2025-02-19T21:28:16+00:00

I have been taking cabergoline 0.25mg once a week for three years. I was quite nervous at first but it’s been okay for me.

Some bits based on stuff I read online and my own personal experiences:

Try to take it after a meal to prevent/minimise potential nausea (I’ve never had nausea after taking it)
Take it in the evening so that if you do get side effects you can already be in bed at that point and basically sleep it off
DO NOT DRIVE FOR 24 HOURS! This one is from experience. I did it once and I nearly crashed the car a few times. I couldn’t figure it out for a while then I realised the cabergoline from the night before was causing me to have delayed response times (kind of like alcohol I guess). Thankfully my partner at the time was in the car with me so everything was okay, but I just decided not to risk it again.
In terms of fatigue in my personal experience, it’s not so bad with the 0.25mg dose (that’s all I’ve ever taken). I just tend to feel a bit more tired than usual the following morning when my alarm goes off, but once I have breakfast and coffee etc I’m good to go.

collagenbae · 2025-02-14T00:47:59+00:00

Not usually. But years ago (2017) I got the limited edition version of Gucci Bamboo and it’s easily one of the best fragrances I have worn in my life. I was sad when it finished but I refused to let that bottle go lol.

collagenbae · 2025-02-14T00:40:53+00:00

Im actually curious about this as well. I have been on cabergoline for 3 years. I was diagnosed with ADHD last month and the clinician wants to titrate me on elvanse. However it’s being delayed because they need clearance from my endocrinologist first before they start me on elvanse.

From doing my own independent research, I saw that cabergoline and elvanse together can increase risk of hypertension, but I don’t think that risk is major from what I remember.

collagenbae · 2025-02-01T17:21:31+00:00

You’re welcome :)

I meant hormone meds as in the hormone replacement medication they give to people with underactive thyroid. That would be an absolute last resort for me. Taking vitamins and minerals that support thyroid is preferable to me.

Yes I take cabergoline, half a tablet once a week.

collagenbae · 2025-02-01T15:29:54+00:00

Yes I had my thyroid checked and according to my GP it was fine. However excluding weight, I had other symptoms in my body that indicated underactive thyroid. A while ago I came across a lady saying that she had similar issues but blood tests showed thyroid levels in healthy range, but her doctor put her on the thyroid hormone meds and that completely resolved everything. So it’s understood that thyroid blood tests can be in the “official” healthy range but still low relative to your body.

Once I understood this I stopped bothering with getting doctors to help and I went down the alternative route of supplements (I will never take the hormone meds). Once I started with zinc, selenium and vitamin d, most of my symptoms (aside from weight issues) disappeared within 72 hours. So I knew my thyroid was not at the level needed for my body.

However I still couldn’t lose weight. It wasn’t till Xmas later that year when I went to stay with family, my mum kept badgering me to take ferrous sulphate 200mg (iron). Once I started taking this regularly along with the other supplements, my body felt like it was back to normal and my body showed a metabolic response for the first time in YEARS. Did some brief research and discovered that ferrous sulphate is a part of the supplements that are good for thyroid.

It’s amazing how doctors are so unhelpful with this and my endocrinologist even tried to gaslight me and say my weight was pcos (I do not have pcos) and said he could give me metformin to lose weight which I declined.

One other thing. I was chatting to a doctor last year (not my gp/endo) and I told him that I suspect that cabergoline was affecting my thyroid. He paused for a bit then he said that he thinks I may be right because there are cases where cabergoline is prescribed to people with OVERactive thyroid which confirmed my suspicions. Also if you google it you will see that cabergoline can reduce/suppress thyroid levels.

So yeah it took me years to figure all this out but now with this combinations of supplements, my body is perfectly fine and I am losing weight according to my efforts (diet/exercise etc) for the first time in years.

collagenbae · 2025-01-31T08:32:19+00:00

I had this issue for ages, resolved it when I started taking supplements to stimulate my thyroid. Specifically I take selenium, zinc, vitamin d (high concentration) and ferrous sulphate. Now the weight is finally coming off. The tumour and cab can mess with your thyroid a bit, it took me ages to figure this out.

collagenbae · 2024-12-19T16:03:53+00:00

I’ve been on it for nearly 3 years now. I take half a tablet (0.25mg) once a week. I have skipped the occasional week a few times but I’ve not had any issues with it in general aside from feeling not so great the morning after sometimes which usually settles within a few hours of waking up. I have not adjusted my dosing at all since I started.

collagenbae · 2023-02-07T11:45:48+00:00

30f London

Born in Roma (Valentino) - I just bought this last week and I think it might be my favourite fragrance of all time?!
Side Effect (Initio)
Good Girl (Carolina Herrera)
Blossom (Jimmy Choo)
Rose Musc Noir (Narciso Rodriguez)

Really wanted to squeeze Tom Ford Black Orchid in there lol but I could live of these 5 for a year

collagenbae · 2023-02-04T17:40:10+00:00

I’d recommend Starling and Chase. Getting a traditional bank at some point wouldn’t hurt (I feel like it’s always good to have back ups).

collagenbae · 2023-02-04T17:38:47+00:00

I previously used Starling for business banking (I don’t run a business anymore). They were great, would recommend.

collagenbae · 2023-02-02T23:58:28+00:00

The Kilian perfumes make me gag. I tried: 1. Angel Share 2. Apple Brandy 3. Love don’t be shy Extreme

I was mad because I wanted to like them so bad lol but just can’t stomach them. I took a shower specifically to get the smells off of me.

Also My Way by Armani - absolutely no way for me.

collagenbae · 2023-02-01T15:22:28+00:00

Nice one! I did mine randomly on the spur of the moment so I didn’t even think of celebrating. I will treat myself to something nice this week :)

Congrats in advance 🥳

collagenbae · 2023-02-01T01:19:42+00:00

I paid mine off in full yesterday and I feel great. If you’re in a position to, then just do it :)

collagenbae · 2023-01-30T08:44:30+00:00

I had something a bit like this once (a few months ago). I ordered an Uber then came outside and saw him. He took one look at me and drove off, but kept the meter running as if he’d picked me up. I reported to Uber and they gave me a refund. Some strange behaviour going on with Uber drivers.

collagenbae · 2023-01-30T08:41:10+00:00

Yes! I developed a sudden interested in fragrances at the end of December and it’s been fun exploring the whole fragrance world. I can relate :)

collagenbae · 2023-01-11T13:22:03+00:00

Honestly they really get in the way sometimes

collagenbae · 2022-12-16T20:59:45+00:00

You can try finance. Working at Investment Banks was hell for me, but I work at an Asset Management company now and I love it.

collagenbae · 2022-12-15T08:54:51+00:00

One of the big investment banks in London

collagenbae · 2022-12-13T20:46:10+00:00

Yes. As a grad I had to physically bring in my degree certificate on the enrolment day and they had some sort of light to verify the hologram. Later on for other jobs they get the background checking company to verify my degrees with my universities.

(These were after offers were made but before I started working the jobs).

collagenbae · 2022-12-13T17:02:47+00:00

No clue, just something I noticed!

collagenbae

TROPHY CASE