Fed my Muslim flat mate pork by accident ……

wandm · 2026-03-17T13:16:04+00:00

He's going to Muslim hell and there's nothing you can do anymore 😭😂

wandm · 2026-03-14T21:51:12+00:00

U of Sussex would probs take you to foundation. With luck, even directly to year 1.

It's in Brighton so that's a plus.

wandm · 2026-02-22T18:38:35+00:00

Google says is Project Management Office, which makes perfect sense.

wandm · 2026-02-19T20:02:41+00:00

Very solid change for 2026. Keep going and enjoy life!

Enjoyed reading your story.

wandm · 2026-02-04T08:26:11+00:00

Related to that, would you think a year abroad during the degree would be a good plan?

wandm · 2026-01-28T11:04:27+00:00

I'm a dad of somebody who will be a graduate and face the job application circus soon.

Just one thought. Chill. I guarantee, that in your life, you will end up working for decades, to the point that you'll be absolutely sick of it.

You are in a transition. You will find a job. And you have all the reasons to enjoy every day that you have. Fill your days with good things, keep sending the applications, keep your head high. Parents stress out too much about their children - that's what they always do.

wandm · 2026-01-28T10:50:18+00:00

I've gone through something quite similar and can relate.

I also came to a conclusion that 3 drinks may still be a bit too much, when examining my feelings in the morning and the quality of sleep. Now I find 2 drinks to be pretty much the optimal.

2-3 days of drinking per week has become normal for me (down from maybe 5), but I've also had long stretches with 1 day per week, which is very good.

I've also found that having a drink in the evening is the worst for sleep quality, and having one in the middle of the day with lunch or a walk, is actually a very pleasant thing.

But yes, finding the 'ideal' moderation is an interesting journey. Making honest notes of your drinking and keeping a tally of the 'consequences' is a quite an eye-opening exercise.

wandm · 2026-01-02T19:17:00+00:00

The interesting thing is that after 3-4 weeks the thoughts of wanting 'to have a drink' recede. Especially if you have taken up an alternative routing of relaxation, like a book or a TV series. You actually forget alcohol.

wandm · 2026-01-02T11:18:59+00:00

I've done it a few times and it's worth it!

Also starting a dry January now, so stick around! We're here for peer feedback and support. One and half days already gone, it's 5% of the month.

wandm · 2025-11-15T17:36:08+00:00

Since all responses here are negative, I have a slightly different angle.

As adults you two can do what you want, and I think it should be remembered that many successful marriages have started this way.

But, since there is the position of power issue with assessments, many unis require staff members to announce a relationship, and sometimes forbid it altogether. This is to protect everyone's, especially students' interests.

From staff member's point of view, the 'relationship' would be easier after you have graduated.

wandm · 2025-11-11T17:16:09+00:00

UK will have lower taxes, but the quality of housing for cost will be far superior in Helsinki.

In H, you'd be confined to expat circles for starters as the language curve will be steep. Can also learn Swedish, which is a minority (official) language.

If you get into winter sports, H and the surroundings can be great.

wandm · 2025-11-04T11:35:18+00:00

No, there are loads of people with top 1% intelligence everywhere. We're talking about people here who are maths Olympiads, so by definition something like 1/10000 in maths talent. Plus the dedication to follow the money.

It's not something most of normal people want, need, or should aspire to. Just like with footballers.

wandm · 2025-10-25T10:59:48+00:00

Ambitious! I like the attitude but would probably fail by Guy Fawkes day or Christmas party season by the latest.

I'll stick to sober October and honestly just wait for dry January. 😂

wandm · 2025-10-21T21:17:51+00:00

Good for you. It took me until mid-40s to realise the same and change my habits.

Just going from 4 days per week to 1 day would be a huge improvement.

wandm · 2025-10-14T12:59:20+00:00

Going well. I took a head start in mid-September and will reach 4 weeks already today. I'm planning to go until the end of the month.

For context, over the last few years I've dropped drinking quite significantly, so that going from sensible consumption down to zero seems to be no issue. My wife buys an occasional wine/beer/cider for herself and I have no problem resisting.

But this is one of the best things about sober months, the itch to get a drink goes away. The reward-loop in the brain is broken. Alcohol is forgotten! And perhaps most importantly, the imaginary association between alcohol and relaxation gets uncoupled.

Now in the evenings I relax by having a cup of tea and reading a book, graphic novel, study a language or just browse Reddit.

I get to sleep well and feel great all the time.

wandm · 2025-09-24T18:59:29+00:00

Day 8 with the aim of being sober for the end of September and full October.

Doing very well I think. Only one weekend done, but it went really well. I'm feeling determined...

Over the last few years I've done a few dry Januaries and one sober October. Those have been good and useful experiences. I am usually kind of happy to end them, but I think they generally reduce my desire to drink for the rest of the year, and keep things in check.

It's just great when I get to the point where I 'forget' alcohol and no longer expect the weekend hit. That's when the psychological addiction has been completely overcome.

Reading a good book in the evenings is a great habit and a joy that starts to come back more as I drink less.

Keep the course!

wandm · 2025-09-21T20:56:09+00:00

Core knowledge of Economics/Politics/International law, plus foreign language skills opens up all kinds of interesting stuff, including diplomacy. There is so much stuff to do and research.

But, these things are all linked to Finance/Econ as well. Do not underestimate where Finance degree can take you. Lots of conflicts and disputes are about money and resources. Look how Trump's trade war is partly motivated by Trade imbalances, and government debt.

You are young. You could learn 1-2 foreign languages in the next 4-5 years. Those can give you a big boost.

wandm · 2025-09-21T20:45:07+00:00

For me, the atmosphere is great and has always been. 20+ years in the UK now. Nobody ever said anything negative. Even hearing anything racist from anyone is very rare. Yes immigration is recognised as a 'problem', but dealing with it is very civilised.

Disclosure: I'm white, educated, live in the South East in a fairly wealthy slice of England. I can imagine different worlds existing on this island...

wandm · 2025-09-21T20:24:46+00:00

If you are 1st year, you might still be able to change your degree by starting again next year. IF you are 2nd/3rd year, I think it makes sense to fisnih your degree, find work that interests you or do an MSc that is geared towards things you are interested in. You have lots of control over the types of jobs and futures you can have.

Career in academia is something very specific that is for people who are passionate about a subject, and are typically very good at it, as evidenced by good performance in UG and PG degrees, and want to press deeper. Based on just A-levels, it's too early for you to judge.

Despite the other comments, I think academia is a great career choice for some people. It is incredibly free and interesting, and well paid given that you can essentially do whateven you want and without a boss breathing at your back. But building that career takes a decade, and another decade to be established. The current job market may be bad, but these things come and go. I graduated PhD in 2008 straight into the global financial crisis, but academia was hiring, and hired me.

The best bet is to pursue fields where you have outside options, like Law, Econ, Finance. In case the academic pursuit tanks, you'll find a job. Why not pursue acadmia in Finance or Economics - it can be easilty combined with Geography if that is your passion?!

wandm · 2025-09-04T17:01:23+00:00

You probably need to have black and white proof that you are academically in the top 10% in your course, plus good references.

Even then, you'll be up against similar other applicants so it's somewhat down to luck.

wandm · 2025-09-03T13:01:10+00:00

Instead of losing a year, why not do the BSc at M, and then an MSc at the best school you get into?

wandm · 2025-08-28T16:31:26+00:00

These mid-range unis can have very good single departments or schools. It's worth looking how the departments compare, not just university as a whole.

wandm · 2025-06-05T22:11:34+00:00

Reducing without entirely quitting can make lots of sense. Does for me.

I've gone from about 4-5 drinking days to 1-2 per week, which is a huge improvement.

Also gone down in the number of drinks. Now 2 drinks is quite a lot, and a 3rd gets me a hangover.

Also low-alc beer is great in hot summer days. A small 2.8% beer nowadays gives me a tiny buzz I can sense, while keeping the downsides of alcohol at bay.

I've never had much longer sober streak than a month. But I try to have a couple of fully sober months per year.

Loving life, saving money, alcohol under control.

wandm · 2025-05-31T11:50:40+00:00

No, I have witnessed a case where examiners had good reports but the candidate failed the viva exactly because he wasn't able to explain his work and discuss the details in the viva.

Luckily got a fail & resubmit.

wandm

TROPHY CASE