u/Alvahod

I am working on observing the voice in my head rather than getting lost in it. But it leaves me with a question: when should I believe the thoughts that arise? My biggest ones center around unfairness; when I feel unfairly treated and need to stand up for myself, or set an important boundary.

If all thought is just conditioned mental noise of the ego, is there such a thing as a "right" or "true" thought to trust, or is total disidentification from the entire thinking mind the only path? How do you navigate daily life without placing belief in the voice?

I'm a BSc CS third year 3 student currently in the middle of a two-month university-arranged attachment (internship) at an organization in my hometown. I have exactly one month left, but the workplace dynamics have become incredibly toxic, and I need advice on how to survive the remaining 4 weeks.

When I started, my role wasn't clearly defined, but I was assigned to the Head of ICT (let's call him Number 1). Unfortunately, Number 1 has been unwell and out of the office for at least half of the month I’ve been here.

Whenever he is away, his assistant (Number 2) takes over as my acting supervisor. There is a massive personal feud between them. Number 2 absolutely hates Number 1—she constantly calls him lazy and stupid behind his back.

Because Number 1 is out so much, most of my daily tasks have just been basic help desk support (connecting printers, answering phone calls, resolving network/email issues, etc.). My university professor actually visited recently, had a meeting with Number 1, and explicitly said they were completely fine with the work I am doing.

However, Number 2 is furious that I’m "just" doing basic help desk tasks. Every time Number 1 is away, she demands that I create something complex, like a full application. I simply do not have the time or the specific technical skillset to build an entire app from scratch in 4 weeks.

Lately, she has started taking her hatred of Number 1 out on me. She constantly compares us, telling me I am "exactly like Number 1" (which is deeply insulting given how she talks about him). She has also started calling me names to my face and is actively spreading negative rumors about me to other employees in the company.

I tried to come up with a creative compromise to please both of them. While helping an employee, they suggested I create a user guide / deployment manual on how to connect printers to the server. Number 2 loved the idea when I pitched it to her while she was in charge.

However, when Number 1 returned, I informed him of my plan. He immediately shut it down because mapping those specific server-printer connections requires administrative passwords that are strictly confidential. I obviously cannot include company secrets in a general user guide, so the project was dropped.

Number 1 is out sick yet again, and I am stuck reporting to Number 2. She's upset that I didn't do the DUI, while calling Number 1 narrow-minded. She is aggressively pressing me to deliver a complex project, continuing to call me names, and ruining my reputation around the office.

I want to finish this final month without ruining my academic standing or losing my mind. How should I handle this situation? Do I reach out to my professor, try to do a project even though I won't complete it, or just put my head down and ignore her?

TL;DR: I’m a university student on a 2-month internship caught between a toxic feud. The Head of ICT (my main boss) is out sick. His assistant is my acting boss; she hates him, is projecting that hatred onto me by calling me names/spreading rumors, and is demanding I build an app in 4 weeks that I don't have the time or skills for. What do I do?

I'm a BSc CS third year 3 student currently in the middle of a two-month university-arranged attachment (internship) at an organization in my hometown. I have exactly one month left, but the workplace dynamics have become incredibly toxic, and I need advice on how to survive the remaining 4 weeks.

When I started, my role wasn't clearly defined, but I was assigned to the Head of ICT (let's call him Number 1). Unfortunately, Number 1 has been unwell and out of the office for at least half of the month I’ve been here.

Whenever he is away, his assistant (Number 2) takes over as my acting supervisor. There is a massive personal feud between them. Number 2 absolutely hates Number 1—she constantly calls him lazy and stupid behind his back.

Because Number 1 is out so much, most of my daily tasks have just been basic help desk support (connecting printers, answering phone calls, resolving network/email issues, etc.). My university professor actually visited recently, had a meeting with Number 1, and explicitly said they were completely fine with the work I am doing.

However, Number 2 is furious that I’m "just" doing basic help desk tasks. Every time Number 1 is away, she demands that I create something complex, like a full application. I simply do not have the time or the specific technical skillset to build an entire app from scratch in 4 weeks.

Lately, she has started taking her hatred of Number 1 out on me. She constantly compares us, telling me I am "exactly like Number 1" (which is deeply insulting given how she talks about him). She has also started calling me names to my face and is actively spreading negative rumors about me to other employees in the company.

I tried to come up with a creative compromise to please both of them. While helping an employee, they suggested I create a user guide / deployment manual on how to connect printers to the server. Number 2 loved the idea when I pitched it to her while she was in charge.

However, when Number 1 returned, I informed him of my plan. He immediately shut it down because mapping those specific server-printer connections requires administrative passwords that are strictly confidential. I obviously cannot include company secrets in a general user guide, so the project was dropped.

Number 1 is out sick yet again, and I am stuck reporting to Number 2. She's upset that I didn't do the DUI, while calling Number 1 narrow-minded. She is aggressively pressing me to deliver a complex project, continuing to call me names, and ruining my reputation around the office.

I want to finish this final month without ruining my academic standing or losing my mind. How should I handle this situation? Do I reach out to my professor, try to do a project even though I won't complete it, or just put my head down and ignore her?

TL;DR: I’m a university student on a 2-month internship caught between a toxic feud. The Head of ICT (my main boss) is out sick. His assistant is my acting boss; she hates him, is projecting that hatred onto me by calling me names/spreading rumors, and is demanding I build an app in 4 weeks that I don't have the time or skills for. What do I do?

I'm a BSc CS third year 3 student currently in the middle of a two-month university-arranged attachment (internship) at an organization in my hometown. I have exactly one month left, but the workplace dynamics have become incredibly toxic, and I need advice on how to survive the remaining 4 weeks.

When I started, my role wasn't clearly defined, but I was assigned to the Head of ICT (let's call him Number 1). Unfortunately, Number 1 has been unwell and out of the office for at least half of the month I’ve been here.

Whenever he is away, his assistant (Number 2) takes over as my acting supervisor. There is a massive personal feud between them. Number 2 absolutely hates Number 1; she constantly calls him lazy and stupid behind his back.

Because Number 1 is out so much, most of my daily tasks have just been basic help desk support (connecting printers, answering phone calls, resolving network/email issues, etc.). My university professor actually visited recently, had a meeting with Number 1, and explicitly said they were completely fine with the work I am doing.

However, Number 2 is furious that I’m "just" doing basic help desk tasks. Every time Number 1 is away, she demands that I create something complex, like a full application. I simply do not have the time or the specific technical skillset to build an entire app from scratch in 4 weeks.

Lately, she has started taking her hatred of Number 1 out on me. She constantly compares us, telling me I am "exactly like Number 1" (which is deeply insulting given how she talks about him). She has also started calling me names to my face and is actively spreading negative rumors about me to other employees in the company.

I tried to come up with a creative compromise to please both of them. While helping an employee, they suggested I create a user guide / deployment manual on how to connect printers to the server. Number 2 loved the idea when I pitched it to her while she was in charge.

However, when Number 1 returned, I informed him of my plan. He immediately shut it down because mapping those specific server-printer connections requires administrative passwords that are strictly confidential. I obviously cannot include company secrets in a general user guide, so the project was dropped.

Number 1 is out sick yet again, and I am stuck reporting to Number 2. She's upset that I didn't do the DUI, while calling Number 1 narrow-minded. She is aggressively pressing me to deliver a complex project, continuing to call me names, and ruining my reputation around the office.

I want to finish this final month without ruining my academic standing or losing my mind. How should I handle this situation? Do I reach out to my professor, try to do a project even though I won't complete it, or just put my head down and ignore her?

TL;DR: I’m a university student on a 2-month internship caught between a toxic feud. The Head of ICT (my main boss) is out sick. His assistant is my acting boss; she hates him, is projecting that hatred onto me by calling me names/spreading rumors, and is demanding I build an app in 4 weeks that I don't have the time or skills for. What do I do?

1. I'll go pornfree starting now (Jun 27th). I usually prefer 1st of some month but I'll just log it on paper as July 1st (for peace of mind). I did r/sugarfree this way (Jan 1st and it's been great).

2. I will not masturbate until 2027. The way I planned it, Masturbation will be a once-at-a-time scheduled event that is done either Friday night or Saturday night or both. I'll take my time and enjoy myself (I am single and not searching for the unforseable future). So the first Friday or Saturday evening of 2027, I will have the option to begin.

3. I will update a chart daily. In it, I'll write:

"☆" and time, if I masturbate without porn on planned days,

"★"and time, if I Masturbate without porn on unplanned days,

"⭕️" and time, if I masturbate with porn on planned days,

"🔴" and time, if I Masturbate with porn on unplanned days;

Neither is intrinsically bad; I just want to observe my patterns.

Either way, I will get back on track with my plans written at 1 and 2.

4. If there's an intense trigger, I will:

a. ⬛️ Listen to a 10min meditation guide on Sam Harris' Waking Up app. This is for moments I will really feel I am on the urge of relapse.

b. Leave a short message on the chart on what the trigger was and how it's to be avoided or handled in future (1 sentence).

People are stressed because a bunch of anti-illegal immigration groups are calling for a massive shutdown and demanding undocumented foreigners leave South Africa by June 30th. Even though international students have legal visas, the tension is so high that universities are already rescheduling exams and everyone is trying to figure out how to stay safe.

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

My long-term goal is a research-oriented career in computer science, and I expect to pursue a PhD after my MSc. At the same time, I want to finish my MSc in a position where I am both competitive for research opportunities and employable in industry.

​

One reason I'm considering not becoming a Teaching Assistant during my MSc is that I currently feel my biggest weaknesses are my programming ability and lack of substantial projects. I am thinking of using the two years of the MSc to strengthen those areas, build a stronger technical portfolio, and gain skills that would make me a better researcher and a stronger candidate for both PhD programs and industry roles.

​

My reasoning is that I may have opportunities to gain teaching experience during a PhD, whereas the MSc seems like a valuable period to develop technical depth and practical competence. My concern is whether [temporarily] passing up TA opportunities during the MSc would be a mistake for someone aiming at a research career.

​

For someone with my aspirations, should I prioritize becoming technically stronger and more industry-ready during the MSc, or should I view TA experience as important enough that it should not be postponed?

How many would you recommend one do?

​

I am doing BSc CS and will have only Numerical Analysis, Basic Statistical Theory 1, Linear Algebra 1, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Real Analysis 1 (not yet started) by the time I am done. I intend to pursue MSc Math.

​

In my school, the MSc Math path has eleven-twelve 3-credit modules, offered as five-six modules per semester (15-18 credits each semester) in the first academic year, followed by another year of dissertation. Most people finish in 2 years, despite also working as T.A.s!

​

However, I don't think I will manage this workload but I wonder if I am just being coward. I was planning on doing 3 modules per semester, so ultimately, graduate in 3 years instead of 2.

​

For what it's worth, I enjoy math more than CS and I intend to build a research career in math.

​

Please advise me.

How many would you recommend one do?

​

I am doing BSc CS and will have only Numerical Analysis, Basic Statistical Theory 1, Linear Algebra 1, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Real Analysis 1 (not yet started) by the time I am done. I intend to pursue MSc Math.

​

In my school, the MSc Math path has eleven-twelve 3-credit modules, offered as five-six modules per semester (15-18 credits each semester) in the first academic year, followed by another year of dissertation. Most people finish in 2 years, despite also working as T.A.s!

​

However, I don't think I will manage this workload but I wonder if I am just being coward. I was planning on doing 3 modules per semester, so ultimately, graduate in 3 years instead of 2.

​

For what it's worth, I enjoy math more than CS and I intend to build a research career in math.

​

Please advise me.

​

I am about to enter my 4th and final year of BSc Computer Science this August. However, my ultimate career goal has shifted: I want to break into Quantitative Finance.

I will need to pursue an MSc in Math or MSc Stats (please make a recommendation looking at the school programs I will be accessible to). Here, we pick ten 3-credit modules for the 30-credit coursework and do a 30-credit dissertation thereafter for a total of 60-credits in at least 2 years. In that program, I want to focus on a highly mathematical branch of Theoretical Computer Science (like Computational Learning Theory or Algorithmic Game Theory) to build my quantitative profiling. NB: MSc CS is a 60-credit dissertation but I doubt if it'd be a suitable fit.

By the time I finish my current BSc CS curriculum, my mathematical foundation will consist of the following:

Introductory Probability -> Statistical Theory I

Differential Calculus -> Integral Calculus

Foundations of Computation -> Discrete Mathematics -> Formal Methods

Linear Algebra I -> Linear Algebra II

Note: This is in addition to core BSc CS technical competencies such as Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA).

I am incredibly insecure about my mathematical depth for top-tier Quant Research portfolios. I have zero formal background in partial differential equations, stochastic calculus, financial mathematics, or advanced statistical inference (like Bayesian statistics). If I stay the course in CS, I plan to bridge this academic gap during my MSc Math /Stats but it will be hard. However, I will also be working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) during those two years.

Core Questions:

Given the heavy workload of a math-dense thesis combined with TA duties, how realistic is it to finish the MSc on time while independently mastering the math needed to pass brutal technical quant interviews?

Alternatively, I have the option to drop back and switch to a pure BSc in Mathematics, entering at Year 3. This will delay my graduation by a full calendar year. Would it be unwise to take the one-year delay to secure a pure Math degree on my transcript, or should I stick to Year 4 CS and rely on my dissertation to prove my quantitative capabilities?

For what it's worth, my university is in Africa and ranked 1000-1200th; and I wish to live in The U.S. if not work for a U.S. from my home-country.

https://preview.redd.it/if4xhls66i5h1.png?width=856&format=png&auto=webp&s=4fb44553e94e8866daed93bc1e70308a06f94540

https://preview.redd.it/ra3hhor66i5h1.png?width=898&format=png&auto=webp&s=5d9c752c2e973b1efc6c3eac91ce56806adb48f1

I am going into year 4 of BSc CS in August. By the time I am done I will have done this math modules:

·        Introductory Probability > Basic Statistical Theory I

·        Differential Calculus > Integral Calculus

·        Foundation of Computation > Discrete Mathematics > Formal Methods

·        Linear Algebra 1 > Linear Algebra II

This, of course, is in addition to other BSc CS such as DS&A.

I am interested in doing MSc CS, focusing on Theoretical Computer Science; particularly Computational Learning Theory. In our school, this will be a 60 credit dissertation. I would like to have opportunities to become:

·        Applied Scientist

·        AI Algorithms / R&D Scientist

I wonder if I have enough math for this path since I did not do a lot of analysis (Game Theory, Real Analysis 1 and 2, for example), and I did not do a lot of Statistics (Probability and Bayesian Inference).

I need to know how to approach this gap. I feel a little insecure and wish I had done BSc Math instead.

How likely am I to finish my MSc CS in the 2 years that it is offered, given I will also be a T.A.?

And the title question: should I switch to BSc Math instead?