u/hello_mar8

I’ve never felt as dumb as I have this semester. I went from a straight A student to just hoping I pass. Calculus is just the cherry on top of the cake. I’m 6 weeks behind content-wise and I don’t have time to study for it. I’m failing every assignment. I’m afraid that if I can’t even handle the beginner courses, I will definitely fail the higher ones. The only reason I haven’t given up is because I do like engineering. It’s what I want to do. But I also don’t like the idea of failing all my courses. Especially because I need to maintain a good GPA for postgraduate programs. Has anyone experienced this? Should I just accept that engineering may be too hard for me?

Edit: If I dropped the course at this point it would be a W on my transcript. Which is another concern.

Hello. I’m heavily considering an MD-PhD. I’m 80% sure I want to do it, but that final 20% is this heavy doubt on whether or not I actually need it to do what I want to do, or if the investment is worth it. If anyone here has finished their MD-PhD program, would you say it was worth it? Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Any advice?

I feel like I eat halal, but recently spoke to a friend of mine who explained that I’m not really doing it right, and after some research I found that she’s somewhat correct. I don’t drink alcohol nor eat pork, but I do eat other types of meat from any people of the book. The thing is, I live in America so I kind of assume most people are of the book even if they don’t confirm it. However, she only eats confirmed zabiha halal meat. Absolutely no judgement here. I just want to see what is more common and if I should put in more effort to finding certified halal options.

I don’t know. I put the hijab on randomly just to try it, no one forced me, but after that point there was so much pressure to keep it on through positive reinforcement I felt I couldn’t take it off. If I had known I wouldn’t have put it on until I was 100% ready, but it’s already been a few years and I feel like it’s too late. The thing is I would have felt better about not wearing the hijab if I had never worn it, but now that I have put it on for an extended amount of time, I’m no longer neutral, but actively being conscious that I’m not wearing the hijab. I’m sorry. I don’t know if that makes any sense. I’m just so tired of the stares and having to think all the time “Is my neck showing?” Of feeling ugly and being defined by my hijab alone. Judgement from Muslims and non-Muslims. Looking into someone’s eyes and knowing they will only ever see me as the hijabi girl. It’s so hard. I wish I could go back in time and tell younger me to wait before I put it on if I had known I wouldn’t be able to take it off again. Did anyone else have this experience?

I know from the way it sounds I definitely shouldn’t be trying to do an MD-PHD, but there are aspects of medicine I’m genuinely interested in like biomedical devices, prosthetics, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and the connections between health and climate change. I’m interested in researching those things, but don’t know if it’s worth the time commitment and effort if I can’t really utilize the degree as a surgeon. In addition to that, I don’t know if I’m cut out for a PhD if I don’t really care for wet lab. The idea of pipetting for hours actually makes me ill. Is this something I should do? Thanks for any advice.

Salam Alaikum. I have been on and off with music for years now. I keep going 3 months without it, then I listen for a month, then I repent and stop for a few months again. The desire is so strong and it’s like nothing else in life really fills that void. It doesn’t help that I live in a place where music plays everywhere. It just makes me crave it more. Does anyone have any advice to stop listening to music for good?

I’m so annoyed, so this is just a rant into the void, but I’m tired of Muslims acting like being a feminist is the worst thing a woman can be. Why are being acting like just by being Muslim the world with grant us respect? In some Islamic countries women aren’t allowed to go to school. Women had to fight just to be able to vote. If you degrade feminism to just wanting to show skin, if that’s the FIRST thing that comes to your mind, what it really says is that all you focus on is a woman’s body and appearance, which is ironically what feminism is trying to fight. Islam may grant us rights, but men most certainly don’t. And I think men acting like we live on a planet where women hating men have ANY actual impact on the system is tone deaf. A woman doesn’t like you? Oh no. Someone doesn’t like you. A man doesn’t like a woman? Can literally lead to her death with little to no consequence. Hold your brothers accountable. Maybe feminism wouldn’t be pushed so much if people stopped acting like a women’s personality stops at mother and wife and that she doesn’t have any right to her own life. “Don’t want my wife to go outside.” Do you hear yourself? She’s never supposed to see sunlight? To get fresh air? And if the reason is other men, then AGAIN, thats what feminism is for. A woman shouldn’t be scared of losing her life for going outside! To be harassed just for breathing. Instead of blaming woman, wonder what would push someone to being so afraid and angry and even with all of that, I don’t know why men act like they’re aren’t women who justify horrible systemic treatment. If you want a woman like that GO MARRY HER! Stop lecturing everyone else. Sorry. I’m just annoyed.

Recently Satrapi passed away and since then I’ve heard many opinions on her works and the way she represented Islam and in turn what Islam is like in general from many types of people, including other Muslims. If you have read/watched her work, what did you think about it? Just curious.

Hello. Long time lurker of this sub here. I have been doing ceramics for some time now and wanted to start a small business. The problem is I am heavily inspired by other ceramicists. I understand that nothing is 100% unique, but I feel like I’m copying them, which I didn’t feel to bad about when making it for myself, but I don’t want to sell it and steal their ideas. It’s not one specific ceramicist. It’s a blend of a few with a heavy influence from one, who is especially known for their mishima technique. l guess the question is, how do you balance inspiration with your own work? At what point am I just copying someone else and is it okay to sell those works when they are influenced by someone else? Any advice appreciated.

Edit: Thank you for all the advice everyone! It really helped me out. Just to clear some things up, I’m not trying to directly replicate anyone and am trying to add some personal flair to the pieces, but I was just worried that the influence would be too apparent and that I might be offending someone. But all of your comments really helped me. I understand it’s virtually impossible to copy in an art form this old, but I’ll still try to not directly imitate others if I’m planning on selling it, just to be extra careful. Thanks for the help! Really calmed my anxiety.

Hello. This is really two different questions, but is having a cohesive narrative really that important? Most of my activities aren’t directly related and I’d be jumping through hoops to try to make a connection. Think painting and running track. Robotics and geriatric volunteering.

Also, out of the 15 slots for activities, about 5-6 of mine are hobbies. The thing is I have national recognition and awards for those hobbies, but like previously stated, they aren’t even related to each other. Is that problem?

Hello. I’m trying to become a better Muslim one step at a time and wanted to think of some areas to improve on. I’m talking about actions like cutting out music, eating more strictly halal meat, wearing niqab, fasting, etc. Any advice appreciated.

To anyone pursuing EE what is the hardest class you had to take. I keep thinking “There’s no way it can get harder than this.” And then it gets harder. I just want to know where the ceiling is so I can know if I can handle it. If I’m already struggling this much, am I ever gonna feel like I’m in a good spot?

I kind of don’t understand why I would do the same work for free when I can get paid for it. I’m an EMT by the way.

Hello. I understand it’s an amazing opportunity and the benefits are great, but I’m afraid that if I apply and get in, I now have to commit to a school in Texas, which are all great and significantly more affordable for in-state residents, but… I don’t know if I want to stay here. I’ve been in Texas my whole life and with the way things are going politically I’m starting to feel unsafe (I’m a minority in many ways). And I also just want to see other places. I haven’t been farther than 4 hours from my hometown and I’m starting to feel stifled. Also, I’m afraid I’m going to match into a school I don’t want to go to and have to go. I’m aware I’m getting ahead of myself and I know I sound very privileged to be wondering if this is something I can do, but I’m scared to be stuck doing something or going somewhere I don’t want to go. Should I apply to JAMP anyways and take the chance as medical school is very hard to get into, or should I risk applying to medical schools normally, but at least have more options?

I’ve been considering wearing the turban. I already wear the hijab by the way. I just find the turban style really cute. However, I’m seeing that many don’t consider it to be proper hijab or use it as a stepping stone and I’m wondering why. If it covers my ears and I wear a turtleneck or scarf to cover my neck, why is it not hijab, especially when hijab just means veil and is more of a practice than a specific style? Any response appreciated.