u/Puzzleheaded_Set8604

Hey there folks, 18M Christian here. I'm looking for some advice regarding university. I finish school within a couple weeks, and by 2nd June I have to finalise which university I put as my firm choice and which I put as my insurance choice, Uni A which is 13 miles away and 30 mins by train from my house or Uni B which is about 80 miles away where I'd 100% need to get student accommodation. Both universities are excellent so I have no preference in that sense.

Whilst I have grown up a nice enough home, had opportunities to grow and such, I've had a difficult life when it comes to home life. Even as a shy child, some of my first words to my Granny were "my Daddy shouts at my Mummy". My Dad is an alcoholic, not in the sense that he depends on it, gets blackout drunk or physical, he just uses it regularly and gets into a tipsy sort of state and gets very mouthy and will get angry over menial things. My Mum would also drink which doesn't help but she wouldn't get on the way he does when she's had a few. Additionally, he drinks near every day whereas she would every couple days.

My patience has worn thin over the years so now I'm having nothing to do with them when they've been drinking because I am sick of emotionally investing myself in fights that either aren't mine or if they are that I can't win because he is drunk. My Dad will often sigh, make wee comments, just wee things that get on my nerves when he's drunk. It was something menial, but my Dad sighed when he came in with my Mum's dinner, I said "I'm not dealing with this", went to my room. He then came upstairs after arguing with my Mum for a minute, opened the door, to start asking and pretending he cared if I was alright because I "went off in a huff". I told him "close the door before I say something stupid or you say something stupid" and then he said something to the effect of "you need to watch your attitude".

I went for a walk to get out of the house, went and sat in a forest and cried for a bit. Not because of a specific comment but just because I'm so tired. I'm teetotal, no vaping, drink or drugs, but last night I felt so heartbroken about homelife I did consider buying a vape to give me some comfort of some kind, only reason I didn't is because I had no ID on me. I understand that it was silly, that I wouldn't have found any true comfort in it but that just shows how bad this stuff is playing on my mind.

However over the last months, I have felt more and more connected to a church near me. I've grown up in a Methodist church but have recently been questioning what my theology is and whether I truly believe in Methodism or if it's just what I've been taught. I've had links to our local Presbyterian church through family and Boys Brigade, I was christened there also, and since helping out with their Easter scheme I've stayed on going on Sundays instead of my Methodist church. There's been stuff been going on in my church which also incentivised me to look at other churches but that's besides the point.

Over the last while, I've been discerning ministry (whether that be ordained ministry or something else) and I feel God may be calling me to this church. I don't know what it is specifically but I feel so much peace around it and I've recently been asked to become a leader in Sunday school come September. I could do that whilst going to Uni A, not Uni B.

Only issue is, of course with Uni A, I have my homelife which doesn't seem like it'll get better anytime soon. I could look at getting accommodation for Uni A, but it would be unlikely as I live so close compared to other applicants so I'd be far down the priority list. I'd also save lots and lots of money by living at home.

Uni B would get me independence but would cost a bit and would take my away from this specific church. I believe God may be calling me to it so surely I should stay here?

I'm just a bit lost at the moment, I don't know what to do. I have about 11 days to decide which one I want to make my first choice and I don't know what to do. Any advice or anything to look into or anything of the sort would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hey there folks, recently got into ukulele on a soprano and recently bought a baritone and absolutely love it. Only trouble is I'm having some difficulty with barre chords like F, the chords sound buzzy and I think it might be difficult keeping pressure equally on the strings. Other than practice, anyone have any tips? Cheers

Hey there folks, planning to head to uni next year and want to get a taste of the Armed Forces whilst there. There's an UOTC in the city, very nearby to the university, an URNU (Navy) about 20 mins down the road and a UAS based between the city and the most local airbase which is about 30 mins away. I'm unsure which service I'd prefer but I currently lean towards the Navy, but the URNU seems very unpopular and is a fair commute. Are there many OTC cadets who go into the Navy or RAF after uni?

Hey there folks, I'm 18 and have always drank NA beer as I don't want to touch alcohol due to my Dad's history with the stuff and knowing that I have an addictive personality to stuff. Anyways, I know a lot of people who drink NA are recovering alcoholics (props to all of y'all) but I was wondering if there anyone who's never had alcohol that drinks non-alcoholic?

Hey there folks, just wondering if it's a natural pathway for UOTC guys and girls to go into the reserves as soldiers rather than officers? I feel UOTC would be good for giving me a taster and ensuring I enjoy soldiering enough to continue but as I will be doing Mental Health Nursing and will have other responsibilities I think I'd prefer being a soldier as it is less time consuming than officer. Any insight into this? Cheers

Hey there folks, started playing ukulele a while back and I absolutely adore it, a wee soprano Flight ukulele. I've been looking at buying another but I'm torn on what I should do.

It'll be another while yet as I need to save, but I am torn between buying a tenor acoustic to get a more richer, guitary sound (I wouldn't go baritone yet as it's different tuning), or if I should get an electric ukulele so I can start playing more rock songs as they don't hit the same as an acoustic. I

'm also considering getting an electric as it means I could potentially integrate into my church's worship band as it's currently set up with a piano, bass, drums and an electric guitarist. I would play, but I don't feel a ukulele, regardless of size, would be loud enough nor fit into that sort of band but an electric may do so. Any advice or any alternative suggestions? Cheers

Looking to buy an acoustic guitar. Already have one but it is far too big, even though I'm a 5'11, 80kg guy. I thought that years ago when I originally got it, I have now tried picking it up after playing the ukulele for a while and perhaps it is more pronounced after playing such a small instrument but I think it's too big. I've found 3/4 and parlor guitars are what I should look out for, anyone have any experience in these? What should I look out for? Cheers

Hey there folks, on 3 weeks clean praise the Lord. I've been going for longer streaks without relapse so I think I am really kicking this stuff in the head, especially the last 3 weeks as I moved all my devices out of the privacy of my room. So much more energy and confidence, I feel great. I have known since I started on my battle against it that I wouldn't date a woman until I was clean, I could not hack the guilt of doing that behind her back and it wouldn't be fair as I wouldn't be able to perform my role as a partner.

How long would you wait until you actively started looking for a partner after addiction? I don't want to put if off but I don't want to rush into things either. Many thanks