u/NipplesOnBreastplate

I had to defer a year due to health, and what made this even more depressing was that I was in a few wonderful SM/whatsapp groups for last years' incoming students that made me feel like I would know some other new folks before I even arrived/had a community to ask questions/chat through anxieties about Oxford.
This time around, I've yet to find that community/groups for 2026-27 incoming students (particularly mature students/postgrads). Wondering if you guys know of any of these groups? Or any way to feel a bit more prepared as a new postgrad.

Thank you!

I am so excited to be beginning a master's in Medieval archaeology (European) in October! But I've now been told I need to further decide between 'Early' medieval archaeology (AD 400-900) and 'Late' medieval archaeology (AD 1200-1500). I am extremely conflicted about this for a variety of reasons:

- I'm interested in the continuity of pre-christian healing practices and vernacular magic/medicine, but much more interested in the pagan aspects than the christianity.

- I'm interested in the material culture of protection/vulnerability/healing and how it was commercialized with christianization, particularly lived belief and religion through personal objects like apotropaic jewelry, pilgrim badges, amulets, etc.

- I'm interested in deviant/unusual burials, burials of the sick/cursed,etc. as well disease/health in general in this period, and ideally would love to study bioarchaeological remains in conjuction with grave goods, but more interested in objects (I mention this because I am aware Christian burials are typically without grave goods).

- I'm very interested in Viking and Anglo-Saxon Archaeology, but if I'm being honest I feel like both have been sullied by weird neo-nazi nationalist types and I don't know if I want to specialize in it because of that.

In short, I think I prefer Early, but I am well aware that both written sources and the archaeological record is much more sparse than the Late, and I don't know if I want to specialize in a period/area that right now is very linked to nationalism/white-pride.

Perhaps it would be best to choose Late knowing that I can reference Early objects? Particularly since I'm interested in the sort of wellness economy that occurred with Christianization?

Before you ask, apparently there is no option for 'high' and no one studies AD 901-1199 apparently.

The most annoying part of this is that they are only teaching Early Medieval this year as a core course (apparently they teach one each year but this was never communicated), so no matter what I choose, I will have to take Early Medieval.

Any help would be appreciated - I have a hard time narrowing my interests in general as you can see so having to choose a time period before getting to take courses is making me crazy.

Hoping you guys can offer suggestions - I have an escalating stalker (+4 months) that found my phone number, email, full birthday, and home address from a google search of my just my first name and instagram from one of the "PeopleSearch" websites (Unfortunately, I have a very unique name).

This person is using my information to sign me up for all kinds of spammy services, mailing lists, religious organizations, porn sites, medical procedures, volunteer signups, etc.

I know from the types of things they are signing me up for that this is someone who knows enough about me to know what I would hate (they're all very political/related to my personal life), as opposed to a random phishing scam or someone trying to steal my identity.

It has progressed to the point they are mailing things to my home address (Not from them, but from said services, organizations) as well as using my information and pictures to sign me up for escort services and other things that could hurt me professionally - and I am very concerned. I have filed a police report but the IP they use is through a VPN, and the police say they can't investigate without a suspect.

I want to change my email and phone number, however, I don't know how to keep the new email/number off the internet, and don't see a point in changing number/email if they'll just show up when someone googles me anyways.

So in short, How do I keep this new email and phone number off of the internet/not associated with my name? Is there a monthly service that you recommend?

I also don't want to lose my number for good - I've had it since I was 14 and it has sentimental value as it's a digit away from my mom and dad's numbers. Any suggestions on how to retain it while switching to another one would be very welcome.

Steps I've already taken:
- Multiple Google removal request for all personal info in searches of my name (This did not fully resolve it and I'm still finding my info in google searches of my name)
- Opt-out requests for all of the services/websites that listed my personal info. Some don't have opt out/ no way to contact company.
- All social media deleted or private. Deleted all followers I don't know personally.
- Signed up for Optery but I'm not sure if that's the best choice/worth the subscription fee.
- Froze my credit, locked my bank accounts, changed my passwords everywhere I could think of.

Any help is appreciated - I'm quite scared and would like to not have to deal with the anxiety of this person every time I get a call or email.

Thank you!