The thing about maths and physics is that they're actually quite difficult. At first I thought, 'OU degree in maths and physics. How hard can it be? From what I've seen, mathematicos and physics types can barely dress themselves properly of a morning, so all these equations they keep banging on about can't be too bad.'

Then the bastards hit you with something that looks like this -



- and before you can say 'ask me a question about Shakespeare' they start talking about wave functions and the square root of minus one.

I'm really enjoying the modules I'm doing, because they're fascinating in themselves and they're leading me to a range of new experiences. One of these new experiences is thinking. Well, it's not exactly new, but I haven't really done much of it since primary school. An English degree, to be frank, doesn't really require much in the way of hard, applied cogitation. Anyone who's bright-ish, doesn't mind reading and can write reasonably well can get a First in English. It's just a case of convincing some sappy examiner that you (a) agree with his/her pointless ideas about Queer Theory (yes, yes, it really exists) and its relationship with feminist critiques of Don Juan and (b) you've actually read A Passage To India rather than just watching the video. In other words, getting an English qualification is simply a matter of reading quite a lot and then engaging in the fluent communication of applied bullshit. Some would say that's a talent in itself. I never really found it difficult.

But when you're messing about with differential calculus there's no messing about. You're either right or wrong. Maths and physics simply aren't for those who can't be bothered to think for themselves, and think precisely. It stretches your brain then snaps it back again so that it hurts. You have to bloody suffer in this game.