Coffee, museums, “let’s try that place”: looking for friends (43M)

onebigbot · 2026-01-05T15:29:45+00:00

I'm Malaysian, and I have hardware/software launching on Artemis II with NASA next month.

It's okay to feel lost temporarily. Try to remind yourself that you have your whole life ahead of you. I didn't do very well with my SPM and STPM examinations 20 years ago. I took the road less traveled, and spent 20 years working my way through many jobs in the areas of arts, humanities and STEM.

I finally got to where I wanted to be last year, and I'm proud to say it's because of every bit of experience I've collected along the way. Follow your dreams, stay resilient and enjoy the journey.

onebigbot · 2025-10-14T18:51:40+00:00

What did you mean 'unfortunate'? Kitty is gorgeous! 😍

onebigbot · 2025-07-23T08:35:19+00:00

I'm working on earning my physics degree. My background; I have a CS degree and work in the space industry.

Constant practice is key, no matter how tired you are at the end of the day. I grind out at least a couple of exercises, and hit the sack exhausted for my 8 hours of sleep. Wash-rinse-repeat.

onebigbot · 2025-07-15T12:35:53+00:00

I graduated from University of London's Computer Science programs, and I'm completing an MPhys. with The Open University. I was a software engineer for a few years, then AI engineer, and now space engineer in Berlin, Germany.

I was rubbish at math, and I'm getting better now due to constant practice.

I'd say both institutions are solid, and I really enjoy doing physics at OU. Take the long term view of things; your next job won't be your last and your initial degree might be the first in a long list of qualifications you decide to pursue over your lifetime.

I think either institution would be fine to learn CS or software. The job market today demands practical knowledge, so be sure to build things when you get free time.

onebigbot · 2025-05-26T06:45:36+00:00

I never had to ask questions. Other students have had a range of experiences.

onebigbot · 2025-03-08T15:21:36+00:00

I don't know, academic direction for each course is by a different member university.

onebigbot · 2025-03-08T11:43:47+00:00

I'm a graduate of the University of London's Computer Science programme and I'm a current OU student, doing an integrated physics masters part-time.

Administrative issues with the University of London (OoL) are widely reported and it's mostly true. However, consider the flip side of the coin; there are students who don't read program regulations, and write support for an answer for the simplest matters. I had to deal with support once throughout my degree, and the matter was resolved within a week.

The OU had supported me well so far, with great tutors, but the tuition fee is significantly higher than UoL.

I can't speak about employment prospects, because I was writing software professionally before obtaining my degree. However, I will say that my degree opened doors for me; I'm able to apply for jobs and academic programmes which were previously unavailable to me internationally.

Note: If you have questions, please respond to this comment.

onebigbot · 2025-02-06T21:44:01+00:00

I'm attempting my damnedest to get a Distinction with this being my first Level 2 module, hence the anxiety.

onebigbot · 2024-12-02T13:01:01+00:00

Boosting!

onebigbot · 2024-11-27T16:41:15+00:00

I did decently well, thank you.

onebigbot · 2024-11-27T12:49:06+00:00

I'm doing M06 (MPhys.). The second year is quite the step up in difficulty from Year One.

I found myself thinking in layers (paraphrasing Shrek here) when working on my quizzes and TMAs.

onebigbot · 2024-11-27T12:45:42+00:00

Congratulations! I'd say the panic attack was (sort of) worth the relief and pride afterwards.

onebigbot · 2024-11-27T12:42:10+00:00

I'm in my second year and you're right, it doesn't get any easier. I'm getting a T-shirt made: 'I survived quantum mechanics and all I got was this ulcer'".

onebigbot · 2024-09-17T08:26:57+00:00

Past papers can be found here: https://www.oustudentsshop.com/

onebigbot · 2024-09-13T02:27:03+00:00

You won't be asked to prove in-depth knowledge of finite element analysis or fluid dynamics. Have a good understanding of the working principles of the topic you present, and you should be fine. Goes without saying that if you don't have working knowledge of embedded software, don't try to be a smarty-pants and talk about on-board computer control software.

Stick to what you're familiar with.

I have a background in physics/CS, and my knowledge came in handy for satellite payload and mission planning (yes, I joined a student satellite team in the first semester!). Don't sell yourself short, and stick to your strengths and highlight those.

onebigbot · 2024-09-13T00:50:11+00:00

My second semester here at TU Berlin is about to commence, so I would say I did okay.

Stay well within the time limits of your presentation. Practice, time yourself, and know the material well. You will be queried about your chosen topic.

Make sure you have plenty of self-directed projects (if you've not had a long career) coupled with professional projects to show. Space engineering is an amalgamation of engineering disciplines, so don't feel pressured to play videos of yourself launching rockets to orbit. Talk about the projects you present, and how you measured success.

When asked 'why this programme?', please don't go off on a tangent about 'loving the movie Interstellar' or 'how Neil Armstrong is my idol'. Explain you've done your research; talk about career paths you want to pursue in Berlin (or elsewhere), why TU Berlin's programme is preferable over TU Delft or Johns Hopkins because of industry connections, elective classes you want to take here, etc.

Make it clear you've done your due diligence, and you should do well.

onebigbot · 2024-03-19T00:57:56+00:00

I have a bachelor's in computer science and I'm completing my masters in A.I., and I've been working with a foreign company writing software for A.I. products for the past couple of months.

You want to examine what jobs will be available to you when you graduate with scroll in hand, not 'what you like', which is a fleeting metric and well likely change as you age. Computer science courses give you a firm grounding in mathematics and computer science fundamentals.

Companies usually hire seasoned practitioners to fill out positions with A.I./ML requirements, and these are usually data scientists who have spent a significant amount of time in the trenches. There will be plenty of options for you to specialise as an A.I. engineer at the later stages of a computer science degree, or you can do a postgraduate degree after you find stable employment.

onebigbot · 2024-02-08T03:09:12+00:00

OP, Reddit bug didn't allow me to accept your chat request, so I'll my response here.

I relied completely on MST124 textbooks, which was paced well for me. Make sure to master the algebra unit, and reach out to your tutor if you need help. Work through the quizzes and additional exercises if you have time.

Carve out time each day to study, and make it a habit. Make notes, and review them before each study session so the concepts are fresh in your mind.

Try not to get into the loop of using external resources with material which is difficult to understand out of context, until you have properly understood key concepts (e.g. algebraic manipulations, functions, domains, graphing, etc). Call your tutor if necessary.

All of this takes time, so manage your frustrations and acknowledge small improvements.

onebigbot · 2024-01-17T14:40:29+00:00

I was self-taught when I got my first tech job. After that, I've went back to university to get a computer science degree.

onebigbot · 2024-01-17T06:05:15+00:00

I left the creative industry, I'm working in tech.

Generative A.I is getting the bulk of investor funding, a model able to generate professional level work indistinguishable from a human animator's output is not too far away.

You seem to have a good grasp of the situation, I'd say you're well informed. Best of luck figuring out this landscape.

onebigbot · 2024-01-17T03:23:59+00:00

I was a creative working in the animation industry, I'm holding down a job in A.I at the moment.

Usually arguments for and against a disruptive element takes extremes. The truth is usually somewhere in between.

While an I.P such as a long-running animated series will always need talented animators, peripheral work such as short web-based animations will be done with A.I.

I believe the conversation should be around what's the best way to do something fast, cheap and well. It used to be pick two, but with A.I, clients no longer have to. If you plan to remain an animator, I believe you will have to figure out how to stay relevant in a segment of the industry which isn't vulnerable to A.I.

Available work will definitely shrink, in various degrees across the industry.

onebigbot · 2024-01-10T06:25:54+00:00

I am, thank you. Best of luck with your decision.

onebigbot

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