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Magnets_44

Reddit URLhttps://www.reddit.com/user/Magnets_44
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  • I did the Access to Sciences course at Glasgow uni 3 years ago. I was bored in my job and a bit aimless and wanted to make a big change, decided to go back to uni and try something completely different (Zoology). All my Highers were out of date so I couldn't apply the conventional way, the access course was the best route in for me. I had the course two nights a week, 630-930pm, one evening biology and one evening maths. I worked full time and it was quite tough, it made for a long day especially in winter with the dark evenings. You do have to put in some work outside of those hours, but it was manageable and the stress never felt too overwhelming. The tutors were great too and other folk on the course were sound. As others have said, if you earn under the 25k threshold most of the cost is covered by SAAS, and if not the cost is probably not so high it's deal breaker. I have a previous degree but was still eligible for the part time fee grant, not sure if that's changed now (as per another comment here). Overall I'm so glad I did it, would thoroughly recommend it - also feel it gave me a bit of discipline so that when I did start my degree I was prepared and in the swing of things. A big change is hard but can be so so rewarding, hope you find the right path! by Magnets_44 (Tue 9th Apr 2019 7:19pm)
  • I'm only in year 2 of my degree so still aways to go before I'll be looking for a job in the field. Wildlife/environment jobs are pretty competitive though so I know it'll probably be tough to find something permanent, but to be honest I'm ok with that - even if I don't end up in a directly related job it's great just having a bit of mental challenge again and I'm enjoying the change of pace. I'm not 100% sure the rules, however I think part time fee grant is (or was) considered separate from regular tuition fee funding, I was definitely eligible anyway so worth looking into! by Magnets_44 (Wed 10th Apr 2019 7:02am)
  • The walkhighlands website is super useful for finding routes, recommend having a good scout about on there. One of my fav hills nearby is Ben Arthur, better known as The Cobbler. It is easily reachable by public transport, you can get the Citylink 926 bus from Buchanan bus station to Arrochar, which takes about an hour. The driver will let you off at the car park at the bottom of the footpath. The walk is maybe 2-3 hours up at a leisurely pace, and a couple of hours down again. The views are beautiful, and the peak itself is pretty cool looking - looks like someone has taken a big bite out of it. Best to book your return bus as it can often be busy. If you get back down the hill with some time to spare there's a couple of pubs in Arrochar to pass the time and enjoy a pint. Hope you're enjoying Glasgow! by Magnets_44 (Wed 1st May 2019 10:14am)
  • Hi, posted this recently in response to a similar question - check out the walkhighlands website, it's super useful for finding routes, recommend having a good scout about on there. One of my fav hills nearby is Ben Arthur, better known as The Cobbler. It is easily reachable by public transport, you can get the Citylink 926 bus from Buchanan bus station to Arrochar, which takes about an hour. The driver will let you off at the car park at the bottom of the footpath. The walk is maybe 2-3 hours up at a leisurely pace, and a couple of hours down again. The views are beautiful, and the peak itself is pretty cool looking - looks like someone has taken a big bite out of it. Best to book your return bus as it can often be busy. If you get back down the hill with some time to spare there's a couple of pubs in Arrochar to pass the time and enjoy a pint. Hope you enjoy Glasgow! by Magnets_44 (Thu 18th Jul 2019 10:45pm)
  • Me too, actually have quite fond memories of it and still enjoy a visit. It's pretty down on its luck but wouldn't call it a full blown shithole. Maybole on the other hand... by Magnets_44 (Thu 25th Jul 2019 3:54pm)
  • Hej! I'm from Glasgow and studied in Sweden recently on an exchange and I got a Monzo account for this purpose. It was a lot cheaper to transfer money between countries using monzo than if I used my regular UK account, so if you think you'll be doing this regularly Monzo is a good idea. It's also generally just really easy to use and now I use it as my main bank account even when I'm back in Glasgow. The student railcard only costs £30 which is super affordable. One thing to consider is that Santander will offer an interest free student overdraft which increases each year of your studies, which might be useful to you? I don't think monzo offers this, so it's something worth looking into. Hope you have a great time studying here! by Magnets_44 (Sun 18th Aug 2019 9:27am)
  • That's a great point, didn't know this, cheers for the clarification! by Magnets_44 (Sun 18th Aug 2019 12:34pm)
  • Can't join this time but I wish you all the best and hope you don't get disheartened by those that view the protests negatively - what you're doing is not futile and many, many people support you. Hope you get a great turn out! by Magnets_44 (Mon 19th Aug 2019 3:38pm)
  • Cunts standing next to the door on a train that's rammed and stay standing there while folk try to squeeze past them to get off. Just step onto the platform, let folk off the train, then step back on again! Worst cunts. by Magnets_44 (Tue 20th Aug 2019 5:49pm)
  • I had a good experience in Babs recently, the waitress was really knowledgable about the menu, and even rushed over when she thought I was about to try something from my friends plate which had been cooked with flour. As mentioned the Dakhin is brilliant. Also, sadly not in Glasgow (yet) but the London mexican food chain Wahaca has a branch in Edinburgh with an extensive & delish GF menu and GF trained staff. Best of luck on your journey! by Magnets_44 (Thu 26th Sep 2019 1:50pm)
  • Sorry you're having to deal with that kind of pressure and arseholes are making it harder for you. Thanks for what you do, and for keepin the heid when so many around you aren't. by Magnets_44 (Thu 19th Mar 2020 11:02am)
  • Radiolab is my all time favourite, it's an inquisitive wee podcast usually about science and technology, but often about social issues and humanity in general. The hosts are really likeable and the topics broad. The episodes I most recommend people are called 'from tree to shining tree', 'ghosts of football past' and 'La Mancha Screwjob'. Also a huge fan of Modern Love, which is short episodes of actors reading articles from the New York Times Modern Love column then usually a wee chat with the actor and writer afterwards. Its surprisingly varied and the stories are excellent. by Magnets_44 (Tue 24th Mar 2020 8:53am)
  • Agreed, This American Life is brilliant! If you like that and Radiolab, Dolly Partons America is worth a listen too, it's a similar style and I thoroughly enjoyed it. by Magnets_44 (Tue 24th Mar 2020 12:10pm)
  • Wild Rose is pretty good, it's set and filmed mostly in Glasgow and has some good scenes with the Grand Ole Opry and the Fruitmarket by Magnets_44 (Sun 19th Apr 2020 2:17pm)
  • Can recommend Iona's Adventures Facebook group, it is more centred on hillwalking but there's also a fair bit of kayaking/paddle boarding/cycling etc too. It's not so much regularly scheduled events as it is a group for people to make their own events and reach out to find buddies to go out exploring with, although Iona does also arrange regular more 'official' meetups too (in the non Covid times!) It's a really active community and the folk are so friendly, mostly in the 20s-30s age group. Best of luck, hope you find the right group for you by Magnets_44 (Mon 13th Jul 2020 12:51pm)
  • No worries, maybe I'll meet you out there one day! by Magnets_44 (Mon 13th Jul 2020 12:57pm)
  • I've done it twice now, it's a bloody great walk especially for your first time on a long distance trail. Camp sites are usually first come, first serve and have lots of space for backpackers but you might need to plan ahead and book now if you want to use them. There's nice campsites at Millarochy/Sallochy, Beinglas, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven & Glen Nevis. Theres also one at Drymen but it's kinda grotty. With a wee bit of planning you can easily wild camp every evening though which is great. My usual itinerary is to camp at Garadhban forest, somewhere on the loch near Inversnaid (beyond the permit zone, near Rowchoish bothy), Beinglas (good pub & showers), Bridge of Orchy just over the bridge, behind Kingshouse hotel (shit ton of midges here) then somewhere on the Lairig Mor. As it's your first go I'd suggest being conservative and aim for around 10-15 miles per day, and if you get to your proposed stopping point and still have bags of energy then just keep going. Particularly nice pubs for food are the Drymen Inn, Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha, Beinglas Farm, Bridge of Orchy Hotel (posh af) and the Highland Getaway in Kinlochleven. Drymen and Balmaha have small shops for essentials, The Green Welly stop in Tyndrum is the only decently big shop before Kinlochleven (unless you go into Crianlarich) and it's bloody extortionate, avoid if you can. Goes without saying but take a midge net and some Smidge. Any Qs feel free to DM, hope you have the best time! by Magnets_44 (Fri 17th Jul 2020 10:57am)
  • Because of the Freedom to Roam act, you can wild camp anywhere as long as it's done responsibly and a reasonable distance from any private dwellings etc, so pretty much any hike you want to do can involve a wild camp (except east coast of Loch Lomond where there's restrictions). Probs better to avoid specific spots that are repeatedly recommended online, as overuse can be really detrimental to the landscape and often these spots are covered in scorched ground, litter and toilet paper etc (like Glen Etive, which is so beautiful but victim to some worst cunts wild camping and leaving their shit everywhere). Best advice is to use Walkhighlands website, choose a hike you like and have a look at the description/map to check it has some suitable camping spots, then head off! Sections of the long trails is a good shout. All the best! by Magnets_44 (Mon 27th Jul 2020 1:13pm)
  • No worries! It's a good way to go, if you're ever concerned the route you're looking at might not have any good camping spots sometimes satellite view on Google maps is useful to check it out. YouTube is great too, loads of folk vlog their trips so you can get a feel for the trail and potential tent spots that way too by Magnets_44 (Mon 27th Jul 2020 1:23pm)
  • Yeah you're right, looks like LLT have restricted all loch side camping that's vehicle accessible. Still a decent chunk of the WHW on the north east of Loch Lomond where it's permitted, I guess the bams are unlikely to actually walk there to camp (thankfully). Didn't know about restrictions in Glen Coe, not doubting you but a quick Google didn't throw up anything... do you remember where you found that info? It's a real shame, but considering the problems it's seeing with irresponsible users I suppose it's no surprise. by Magnets_44 (Mon 27th Jul 2020 4:39pm)
  • Ah right, got you! I know the bit you mean, there's been signs there for a few years now but as far as I know there's no official ban/byelaw in place, think the signs are more a deterrent - seems to work though, thankfully! by Magnets_44 (Tue 28th Jul 2020 8:03am)
  • Blondie at the BBC was recorded live at the Glasgow Apollo in 1979, it's on Spotify and it's pretty decent! Even got a wee cameo from the Strathclyde pipe band by Magnets_44 (Thu 27th Aug 2020 10:22pm)
  • Can definitely recommend Park Orthodontics! I had braces for 2 years in my late 20s, my teeth were a tricky case apparently but I am so, so happy with them now. It was worth every penny. I was always seen by Andrew and he was a really nice guy, all the staff were friendly though and overall it's a really welcoming and professionally run place. Any Qs feel free to DM by Magnets_44 (Thu 17th Sep 2020 12:59pm)
  • Bon Vivant (just at the back of Murano st) - took me ages to find a good hairdresser in Glasgow but I wouldn't go anywhere else now. Riona is a colour wizard. Best of luck! by Magnets_44 (Thu 24th Sep 2020 11:35am)
  • Fuck yes, Ranjits Kitchen! by Magnets_44 (Wed 18th Nov 2020 2:12pm)
  • Baked never disappoint, that anchovy 3 ways is the stuff of dreams! by Magnets_44 (Wed 18th Nov 2020 2:11pm)
  • Pork & prawn spring rolls from Non Viet. So good by Magnets_44 (Tue 22nd Dec 2020 5:25pm)
  • Right enough, mental note to save those for my East Kilbride top 5 only. by Magnets_44 (Mon 11th Jan 2021 9:51am)
  • Super November (feature length by Josie) is also set and filmed here and is worth a watch too, quite a sweet little film by Magnets_44 (Tue 12th Jan 2021 11:10am)
  • What a fun wee watch, thanks for sharing it! by Magnets_44 (Tue 19th Jan 2021 10:51am)
  • Not sure where your bar is set for significant/well known, but there's a good Glaswegian-Chinese comedian called Christopher KC who might be worth looking up. Not particularly well known but has done a few bits for BBC etc by Magnets_44 (Tue 19th Jan 2021 5:41pm)
  • There's a lot of absolute pish in their statement, but this not wanting to be arrogant thing really takes the biscuit... they claim it would've been "distasteful" to even agree on the wording of a statement prior to their official win, yet didn't think there was a problem in designing a whole line of 55 themed products they then marketed on their Twitter immediately after winning. Fucking unbelievable by Magnets_44 (Tue 9th Mar 2021 4:55pm)
  • If you want a good reason to go to Dennistoun for the day it's Baked Pizza al Taglio by Magnets_44 (Sun 28th Mar 2021 11:48am)
  • This is my experience too, it's a nice place to be for that reason. Shawlands does have better boozers though by Magnets_44 (Sun 28th Mar 2021 11:55am)
  • I think the brewery is roughly about the Dennistoun boundary, so Baked is still Dennistoun if you ask me. But I take your point, it's defo on the edge! by Magnets_44 (Mon 29th Mar 2021 11:31pm)
  • Achilles Heel on Great Western Road do it, they have an appointment system going atm until normal opening resumes. Can't remember if they charge for it but they're a great shop, friendly & knowledgable service by Magnets_44 (Mon 5th Apr 2021 5:29pm)
  • Sweet Jane on Duke St is really good by Magnets_44 (Fri 23rd Apr 2021 11:06am)
  • Suggest swapping a gig at the Hydro (soulless, dreadful sound) for a gig at the Barrowlands (best venue anywhere, ever) by Magnets_44 (Sun 25th Apr 2021 9:54pm)
  • Never got to see them but by all accounts they were fuckin great. Very sad indeed by Magnets_44 (Sun 2nd May 2021 2:39pm)
  • Right enough, must try harder next time! by Magnets_44 (Sun 2nd May 2021 2:41pm)
  • I care. My husband got Covid last year, he was a fit healthy, active guy in his mid 30s. Sure, his symptoms were very mild, but he is still suffering from terrible long term effects and it has really affected his quality of life. Just because someone isn't categorised as vulnerable, and is in a "safe" demographic, doesn't mean Covid can't be devastating for them. by Magnets_44 (Fri 14th May 2021 5:19pm)
  • I'm not saying we should, I'm saying we should still have the decency to give a fuck about not spreading Covid to those not considered vulnerable. As far as statistical significance - research is still preliminary, so we don't yet know. But I doubt it is insignificant - the most recent ONS estimates for long Covid are 1 in 7. by Magnets_44 (Fri 14th May 2021 6:25pm)
  • Mate steady on, I am not trying to catastrophise this or suggest we all live in bunkers. Whatever personal risk you take for yourself is fine with me, I am saying we should as a society still care about not passing it to others regardless of their 'vulnerable' status, as we don't know how it will affect them - no more, no less. It's just basic decency. As for the stats, it's evidently not the same study you've read I'm referring to the CIS conducted by ONS & Oxford uni et al, 100k+ participants, randomly sampled from UK households and excludes those in hospital. Anyway cheers for your input. by Magnets_44 (Fri 14th May 2021 6:54pm)
  • Baked Pizza al Taglio, Tibo, Mesa, Celinos and Scran are good for lunch. East is good for coffee, Sweet Jane and Akara bakeries for cakes. For parks, Alexandra Park and the Necropolis are nice, Glasgow Green is not far away either, or a wee bit further out (easy to reach from Dennistoun on the bus) is Hogganfield Loch which is nice for a walk. Hope that's helpful! by Magnets_44 (Fri 28th May 2021 9:50am)
  • A couple of years ago I had a bad period of anxiety and panic attacks and went to a 6 week beginners yoga course at Yoga, Meditation & Healing just off Great Western Road. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it, I know they've started up in-person yoga again, might be worth seeing if that course is starting any time soon. It wasn't heavily focused on mindfulness, but I felt it was a good balance of different beginner friendly yoga and breathing and mindfulness exercises. It was reasonably priced too. Regards sticking with it - i felt like the course gave me a good starting point and I practice at home now using YouTube, (Yoga with Adriene, she's the best)... it's hard to practice every day, my advice is just to try not put too much pressure on yourself and aim for 2-3 times a week, and view anything more as a bonus. On nights when I just can't be arsed I'll choose like a 15-20 minute video just to keep the habit going and I still get a lot of benefit from it. Wish you and the other commenters all the best with your anxiety, it's a horrible thing and I hope you can find your way through it. by Magnets_44 (Sat 21st Aug 2021 9:47pm)
  • This is the one for me too. The flooring, the ceiling, the big lights, even the cloakroom... queuing outside under the neon I always feel like a wean about to go on the waltzers for the first time. Went for doors open day a couple years ago and it was really cool to get all the history and stand up on the stage. Love it so much, hope it never changes. by Magnets_44 (Fri 1st Oct 2021 10:02am)
  • I had some council tax issues recently and got it sorted surprisingly quickly using the live chat function on the website. Had to try it a couple times as the first time I tried there was 'no one available' to chat, that was around lunchtime, but when I tried again later in the day I got the issue sorted within ten minutes. Definitely worth giving that a try! by Magnets_44 (Sun 3rd Oct 2021 11:45am)
  • The Ben Nevis by Magnets_44 (Sun 21st Nov 2021 6:00pm)
  • A million times this, it's absolute shite craic. Recently made a folder on my phone to store all my screenshotted tickets and it feels like the most tragic fucking keepsake ever. by Magnets_44 (Tue 11th Jan 2022 10:51am)