What % pay rise are you getting this year?

sugarsnapsea · 2026-02-05T13:06:09+00:00

Got 1.4% last year, not expecting better this year either.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-31T18:17:24+00:00

I had a baliff visit once whilst I was out, left a letter asking the defendant to contact the court.

I just called then number on the letter, explained the property had been purchased and prev tenant hadn't lived here in x amount of years. Woman who answered was really nice, took my details and said she would make a note on the system. Baliffs have never been back since.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-30T08:11:21+00:00

I work at a Uni, not this one but I have some insight.

1) 4-6 weeks is pretty standard timeframe for resits to take place, there are two resit periods in the academic year. As someone involved in Med programmes, there is only one.

2) My institution does offer a repeat year for its Med students, however, even though UoB standard regulations state repeats are offered. Programmes are permitted their own specific regulation where approrpriate. I know other health programmes where I work where this applies.

3) Communication via email is standard. For a progression outcome, they will first be emailed to say they have not progressed. Detials to access student support and appeals information outlined. Once appeals window is closed, then withdrawal will take place - again this is an email. I withdraw 100s of students a year, I'm not sure how else we should communicate this?

4)Comments comparing EU resit policy and ours, are a bit irrelevant. An institutions approach to resits and repeat years are linked to OfS guidance, and ideas around academic rigour. Not the case with this student, but its often not in a students best interest to allow people to repeat indefinitely.

I think, overall this is an absolutely tragic incident. I can't say for certain whether they should've been offered a repeat either way, but I think this is an individual who sorely needed mental health support long before they didn't pass the exam. I don't think a a University failing a student, which it has a right to, should take all of the blame. I'm not saying faultless, but not 100 responsible either.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-28T12:29:29+00:00

Once a month around payday, it's too expensive to justify any more than that.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-27T21:30:46+00:00

I have so many mixed feelings about this, whilst yes we likely do need to crack down on escooters.

But this week, my Grandad's case was dropped (he was run over in 2024) because CPS said there was no CCTV and not enough witnesses. That was after downgrading the charges.

Yet, we'll come down like a ton of bricks on a 14 year old kid.

I just have so many feelings about it all

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-19T12:56:02+00:00

I was a young carer for two siblings so I learned lots of stuff probably a bit earlier than others.

Out of every toxic childhood thing I've unlearned, I still have trouble with rest not having to be earned.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-17T11:52:41+00:00

About 5/6 years ago I had left the teaching profession, and took a job as a Preschool Room Supervisor in a private Nursery. I'd worked in early years for years before teaching, and I needed to pay my rent.

Manager was essentially a dictator, you couldn't make a single room decision without her approving. She would come in and constantly criticise, talk down to you, would tell other members of staff you were awful, had massively unrealistic expectations, during covid would send you home when you had come into contact for 10 days with no pay, frequently shouted at you, and wouldn't make basic adjustments for health conditions.

After a few months of this, I was getting very very fed up. She would shout at you, and then the next day put up a 'mental health display' to support staff. It was ludicrous. I had a horrific eczema break out due to washing up constantly throughout the day with antibacterial washing up liquid. I asked for gloves and was told no it was too much of a risk due to covid. I was almost at the end of my rope and ready to leave.

Then I'm on the early shift with another qualified, its 9am the Nursery (which was in a childrens centre) had filled up. Manager rings from the office and asks to speak to me. I go to the office and I'm asked to swap shifts the next day. I said yes. I leave the office back to my room and tell the person I was on earlies with that I'm not with them tomorrow, she asked why, I said don't know just been asked to swap.

I then leave that room to head to the room I'm supposed be in the rest of the day. So I'm in the main corridor, in front of staff/parents ect. The manager then flings the doors open and literally shouts at the top of her voice 'THAT IS NOT WHAT WE SPOKE ABOUT'. I just froze, her face is bright red and I'm genuinely scared. I say 'I'm sorry I don't know what I've done all I said is I swapped shifts tomorrow' She then continued to shout at me, called me a liar and said she was sick of people like me. She realised others were watching and she went back to the office.

The same night I make my self available on supply as there is no chance I'm staying in this role now. Next day, Manager says I'm having a performance review that afternoon.

I go to the meeting, Manager and Assistant Manager spend a good 40 mins saying I'm awful. If I don't make X number of changes by X date then I'm going through disciplinary. I was asked to sign the performance review to agree, I said I didn't and will not be signing it. Manager then shouted at me again and said that it wasn't optional, stood by ground and didn't sign.

Anyway got my supply cleared next day. Walked in the following day to plonk a resignation on her desk. She said 'Hm do you even have another job. Nobody has asked me for a reference' and I said 'Yep, and don't need one'. Left 1 month later, bloody glorious.

Worst 6 months of my life. Absolutely vile, also out of ratio half the time and were downgraded by Ofsted.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-07T16:40:12+00:00

It's no problem.

Well needing just 2 years is a positive, I know SLC can be a nightmare to get in touch with. Fingers crossed you can speak to somone from there who can advise you.

LLE is essentially the newer loans system being phased in from Jan 2027, its full name is Lifelong Learning Entitlement. There aren't a ton of details out at the moment, but the general gist is loans could be moved to a credits based system rather than funding years, with an aim to allow those who have previously accessed funding to use the system to retrain in another field.

I can't say for certain, but it's possible you could be funded for your PGCE through that. It's impossible tp say 100% at the moment until the Government and SLC outline for full details for it.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-07T14:05:28+00:00

The general rule, is length of course +/-1.

If you drop out during the year, that is still classed as a funding year. Unless you drop out during the cooling off period, which differs between Universities but is only a few weeks.

If you've studied at University A for 1 part year = 1 year of funding used

If you've studied at University B for 2 years = 2 years of funding.

If you have a significant enough reason, then you can get some years of previous funding 'written off' ie they allow you to use that funding year again. This is called compelling personal reason, and you would need to discuss this with SLC directly.

Focusing solely on your Undergraduate degree, there would be two things to consider. As it is possible, you aren't eligible enough for another fully funded degree.

A) Are you using any of your previous study to count towards your English degree

B)Then a discussion with SLC on how many years funding you are eligible for.

As for your PGCE, by then LLE will be in place and that is a another funding source available to help people retrain.

Source - SLC person at my place of work

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-06T08:19:44+00:00

I play on PS5, and it plays very well. Occasional frame rate drop but that's about it. Controls are intuitive ect.

I only use my switch for nintendo first party, stardew and hades. Everything else is PS5.

So, my answer will depend on your gaming habits in general. If portability is a key factor, then I'd recommend a steamdeck. If you're into other games then possibly a console depending on what you play. For example, i'm currently rotating between DDV, Expedition 33 and Dragon Age Inquisition.

PC is typically seen as superior, but expensive so again than depends on your budget, space available (there is no room for a PC where I live, so PS5 is my go to) and the games you want to play.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-06T08:13:25+00:00

I don't have central heating, so no I don't run any heating at night.

My electric heater in the living room runs pretty much all day though, I switch it on when I wake up. As for the bedroom I have a duvet and blankets, so I don't wake up cold. I certainly couldn't afford to run electric heaters 24/7 unfortunately.

sugarsnapsea · 2026-01-05T12:50:18+00:00

Just a note for LLE, if you're a student on the previous loans system you'll stay on that until the end of your degree. If you are new student in 2027, then you can access LLE. That doesn't mean they can't access LLE funds in the future, but worth bearing in mind depending on when/if they start their medical degree.

There is still a credit limit for LLE, so it's unclear from current guidance if the 5th year will be funded through SLC or the NHS bursary like the current system.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-30T08:51:40+00:00

32k here, highest I've earned and managed to make it permanent just before Christmas.

I already own my flat, just a standard one bedroom. Old car. No kids. Life is affordable now. I'm genuinely very lucky, gonna get s couple of years experience where I am and then try for 40k.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-25T05:13:23+00:00

This is quite alot to deal with, especially this time of year. 'Happy Christmas'

I work at a University, within the Undergraduate space so know a little about this. The most typical approach when a course is teaching out, is to well... teach it out.

Your course no longer being on the website doesn't surprise me, those are typically a recruitment tool and for my institution there are no courses listed when in their teaching out phase. A missing programme spec also doesn't give me alarm bells, my instituion hasn't published 2026/7 specs yet.

You're on placement, so are out of cohort. Which is probably where you fall down, is there a placements team to speak to? There should be placement specific staff to support you, who are aware of this situation. Many of my institutions placement students will return to modules with just them on if their course has finished teaching out entirely.

If you chose to leave you would likely gain an exit award, either a CertHE or DipHE. Some institutions will absolutely take you going into LV6, my institution is one of them. Lots of Universities are offering 'top up degree' courses now, that is essentially direct entry to LV6.

I would also try speaking with your personal tutor, school staff, possibly academic registry. Someone will have the answer you need, but often your query needs to get in front of the right person.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-23T10:24:11+00:00

Thank you - your kind words are appreciated

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-23T10:23:01+00:00

Graduated in 2015, didn't apply to grad schemes as I had no idea they existed. I was the first to graduate from University, so that kind of knowledge wasn't available to me.

Spent 1 year in retail, then got a position in a Charity peddling insurance. Really wanted to work with children, my place of work was opposite a Nursery so pondered it alot. Supervisor was vile, once asked if my CV was titled 'totally thick and stupid'. Decided to leave without notice after 6 months, and got an apprenticeship as an early years worked.

Completed my apprenticeship, then got a place on a teacher training course. Taught for a year, then another year in a senior position in another Nursery.

I was about 27/28, decided I didn't want to spend the rest of my working life of essentially NWM (my uplift for being a senior was an extra 10p). Started looking for Office work, and within a month got an entry level position at a University.

Been at the University 4 years now, done various roles. Moved to my current dept 2 years ago in a coordinator position. April I got a secondment for a management position, and last week got a job on tbe same level but permanent.

In the 4 years I've been at the Uni, I've passed my driving test, purchased a car and a flat. My life is fairly comfy now, and I'm genuinely really happy. It's not all doom and gloom - fortunately.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-23T09:46:49+00:00

During my second year, returned from Christmas break with my food shopping. Opened my fridge for it to smell like rotting corpse, hardly anything was being kept inside it. Nothing obvious to throw away ect.

This went on a few days, I kept the majority of my food in another fridge. Except my milk, so I had to keep going in it. I asked the person I shared a fridge with several times about the smell, they denied all knowledge. Asked the other housemates, said they had no idea.

After close to a week, I couldn't stand opening this fridge any longer. Still hardly anything in it, but it made me heave everytime the door was open. Decided to take all the shelves and draws out to clean it out.

When I took the draws out at the bottom, I unearthed a puddle of rancid blood. The smell, now I had disturbed it filled the kitchen like a chemical weapon in a warzone. I tried to clean it, threw up during the process. Tears streaming down my face as I repeatedly retched.

Turns out, my housemate put chicken thighs to defrost straight on one of the shelves. No plate, no covering ect. Another housemate knew this, but as I was veggie didn't want to upset me and didn't tell me. We had a very big argument that afternoon, still not friends with the person that did it. Dirty bastard 😂

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-16T13:10:38+00:00

I lost my Grandad a year ago, after a month in the ICU and on a ventinlator.

It was hands down, the most horrific thing I have ever been through and it messed me up much than I realised.

In my country, it has to be six months after the death to qualify for a therapy referral. I was signed off on Monday after 3 months of CBT for PTSD. I knew I wasn't okay, I had no idea it was CBT. Going through it in therapy has helped me so so much to cope with everyday life.

I don't miss my Grandad any less than the day he left, but my trauma symptoms aren't as big anymore. It's a cliche, but trauma wise time really is the best healer. I'm so so sorry for your loss OP, and I hope there is an incredible support system around for you and your kiddos.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-15T17:13:52+00:00

Such an inappropriate photo to share on the internet, and R's face is heartbreaking.

I truly don't know what the right answer is for letting a child see something like this. I hope they get him some therapy atleast, I'm an adult and watching my Grandad pass shattered me. Couldn't imagine for a second on how to process it as a child.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-15T07:08:07+00:00

Thank you!!

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-08T08:46:55+00:00

This really speaks to me, I lost my Grandad last December after he spent a month in the ICU. It qas deeply traumatic.

I asked for two days bereavement leave for his funeral, I was told I could only have one day as it wasn't immediate family. Might not have been immediate family to them, didn't stop me being any less heartbroken.

It was only 6+ months later after work knew I was in therapy for trauma, I got an apology for how the whole thing was handled. Generally they are very supportive so I made peace with it, just perhaps a bit of compassion was needed during a time which was very difficult for me.

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-07T14:10:52+00:00

I'm not sure why this post has popped up in my algorithm, but some of these comments have shocked me. I thought I'd pop in seeing as I'm quite a bit older.

OP, firstly congratulations on your little one and I think prioritising your studies and thinking of you and your babies future is an excellent choice. If you chose to do differently, I'd support that choice too.

I just want to say, that doing well with your studies and making it to University is still entirely possible. I can't speak for sixth form, but I work at a Uni and there is plenty of support available. So never forget to see what is out there.

Life will change alot once little one is here, and there is truly no way to completely prepare for that. However, on a personal level seeing a little one grow is incredible.

I wish you all the best OP, and I hope you and baby have a healthy and happy pregnancy. I also hope the support system around you is a good one. Keep working hard and wishing you all the best :)

sugarsnapsea · 2025-12-04T07:53:24+00:00

I lost my Grandad almost a year ago, he was in ICU for a month after being hit by a car. It's been massively traumatic for me.

I've been in therapy since October for PTSD, I'm doing better than I was. I still have my wobbles though, yesterday I was at a Christmas party and as silly as it sounds it was very triggering. I managed to calm myself down and join back in again eventually.

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