u/sesameprawntoast50

Currently on the BSc Mathematics and physics Course after having changed from BSc Physics because I really wanted to do more math heavy modules. I've been looking at post-grad degrees like theoretical physics, astrophysics and applied mathematics so far. I saw that the OU offers MSc in Math and looking through the modules offered, it's a fairly nice course.

The main reason I'd go for this is because of the tuition fee, I don't think I'd find a more affordable course unless I do my masters part-time at a brick uni which comes to about 7.5k a year. Whereas the course offered by the OU is around 8k if I were to do it full-time and finish it in a year. I am able to go to a brick university though and there's nothing stopping me, I'm also wondering if it's worth doing my masters online having done my undergrad online, I do want to experience attending physical lectures. But if it's in my best interest I'll rather do the Math course the OU offers.

I was wondering if I could have some insight from somebody who's currently on this course?What is it like in terms of the workload? Is the course comparable to that of the math courses offered at universities like York/Bristol/Southampton (Not expecting oxbridge and Harvard level Rigor). How involved can you get in terms of being able to attend in person events etc and taking part in research and collaborating with other students/lecturers since there are a lot of modules with applied mathematics as well. And importantly What field do you guys plan on going into after completing this course? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much GUYS!!!!

I used to absolutely hate reading back in secondary school, but now that I’m 20 and reading on my own terms, I’ve realized how nice it actually is.

I started my journey back into books with authors like Holly Jackson and Freida McFadden. They were great re-entry books with easy to understand language , sort of like watching a solid Netflix movie. The plot moves fast, you get your answers, and the story comes to a clean end.

However, I recently went back to some of the literature they forced us to read in school. I re-read Of Mice and Men and I loved it!! I realized it holds so much more meaning than I ever gave it credit for. It’s the kind of book I can read over and over, or even just go back to specific chapters just to sit with the atmosphere.

In contrast, I’ve realized that a lot of the viral "BookTok" stuff, like Colleen Hoover or the Twisted series - is sort of "grab and chuck." You binge them for 5 hours of dopamine, but once it’s over, there’s no lasting substance. (Not hating, because some are fun reads, though CoHo specifically makes me question my sanity after I finish her books lol).

It got me thinking: What actually separates a "classic" from a "non-classic" in the long run? Why do some books become the subject of literature study for decades while others, even if they sell millions of copies, just fade away? Is it the "goal" of the book, the themes like classism/war, or just the way they’re written? I’d love to hear how you guys define a "classic" versus just a "bestseller."