Loneliness

You can check your Loneliness level using the Loneliness Scale UCLA (psytests.org)

If you are dealing with feelings of loneliness that just don't go away, consider these tips:

1. Engage with other people in a positive, healthy way. Even though it may be difficult, try making the effort to connect with others. Volunteering, hobby clubs, workout groups, and other opportunities, can help boost self-esteem and provide a safe and satisfying way to connect with others.
2. Get some exercise and sunlight. Getting active and out in the sunshine can help elevate endorphins and serotonin. These “brain hormones” can boost mood, help improve sleep, and make people feel happier.

Chronic loneliness is not just about feeling alone; if left unchecked it can put you at risk for serious physical and emotional issues.

Google map is more accurate than Apple map

I've been using both Google Maps and Apple Maps for a while, and I've noticed that Google Maps tends to be more accurate, especially when it comes to navigating specific locations like buildings within large organisations, such as universities.

Frozen veg are healthier than canned veg

Both canned and frozen vegetables are typically processed within hours of being harvested. This helps preserve the nutrients, so frozen and canned veggies can often be healthier than fresh vegetables. They’re also usually picked and processed at the height of ripeness, while fresh produce from the grocery store may have been picked at an unripe stage, before they have fully developed their vitamins and minerals.

Canned and frozen vegetables may start out equally nutritious, but the processing makes a difference. Frozen produce is blanched (cooked in hot water quickly) and that affects the nutritional value slightly. Canning requires a lot more processing. Aside from certain fruits like tomatoes and pumpkins, canned goods are likely to have less nutritional value than frozen. If you take the canned vegetable route, make sure that you avoid varieties with added sugars or sodium. Also, many of the nutrients from canned vegetables stay in the the liquid. If you remove canned vegetables and drain them, you’re missing out on a lot of the nutrients.

Top 10 host countries for international students in 2023

Comparing smartwatches for adults (UK)

As I embark on my journey to choose my first standalone smartwatch to reduce my phone screen time, I've decided to invest in a standalone smartwatch that can replace my phone.

Understanding the Basics: LTE vs. Bluetooth

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand the key difference between LTE and Bluetooth in smartwatches. LTE-enabled watches feature 4G connections through eSIMs, supporting both cellular calls (including wifi calling) and data use when wifi isn't available. This means you can use an LTE smartwatch independently from your phone. In contrast, Bluetooth smartwatches require a connected phone nearby for full functionality, limiting them to basic features like timekeeping and step counting when not connected to a smartphone. Naturally, LTE smartwatches tend to be more expensive than those with Bluetooth only.

Additional Criteria: NFC and GPS

Besides LTE connectivity, my criteria for selecting a smartwatch include NFC support for mobile payments through Google Pay or Apple Pay and built-in GPS for navigation without a phone.

Smartwatch Compatibility with Mobile Network Providers

The availability of LTE-enabled smartwatches varies significantly by country due to compatibility with mobile service providers. In the UK, only three brands (excluding kid's watches) offer LTE-enabled smartwatches: Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch. The compatibility with mobile service providers and international roaming options also varies, affecting the choice significantly.

Currently, EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three are the four main network providers in the UK offering monthly plans compatible with LTE smartwatches.

Brands and Models

As of April 2024, the following smartwatch models are on the market:

• Apple Watch: Available models include the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Each model caters to different budgets and needs, with the SE being the most affordable, the Series 9 in the mid-range, and the Ultra 2 as the premium option.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch: The LTE variants available include Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch5 4G.
• Google Pixel Watch: The Google Pixel Watch 2 is currently available but has limited support among mobile service providers. Notably, EE and Vodafone both offer plans for the Pixel Watch, but to buy a Google Pixel Watch plan from Vodafone, you’ll need an Android phone (running Android 8.0 or later) on their plans. EE does not have this restriction. 

Making My Choice

After considering my options, I decided against the Apple Watch, primarily because both Apple and mobile network providers typically expect users to have an iPhone, which contradicts my goal of replacing my smartphone. Additionally, my current phone is a Motorola, which would not be compatible.

The Google Pixel Watch was also ruled out due to its limited compatibility with network providers and the specific requirement of having an Android phone on their plans.

Ultimately, I chose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which offers the independence I seek at a reasonable price. It's available for £289 on Amazon with a £7 monthly plan from a mobile network provider, making it an excellent choice for my needs.

I hope my journey will help you making your own choice on smartwatches.

Comparing train ticket split websites (UK)

When looking for the best deals on train travel, many turn to train ticket splitting websites. These platforms can help you save money by breaking down your journey into separate legs, potentially leading to cheaper overall ticket prices. Here are my insights into some of the available options.

Recommended

• TrainPal: accessible both via their website and through a mobile app. TrainPal does not charge any booking fees when you use their app. However, if you use their website, they will take a 12% charge of what you save, with a cap of £1.99. Users should be cautious of the app’s marketing tricks, which include referrals, promotional offers, and cashback games that often waste time. For instance, a promised £20 voucher may become elusive as the reward incrementally reduces to pennies, making it challenging to actually get the voucher. Additionally, the marketing claims are frequently overblown, delivering far less than promised.
• trainsplit.com, splityourticket.co.uk, and splitticketing.com all seem to offer identical pricing and UIs. I suspect these platforms use the same backend search engine. splitticketing.com charges £1 booking fee when you proceed to payment. trainsplit.com and splityourticket.co.uk don't charge booking fees. Their share of saving are same, which is 15% of what you save, but this is included in the costs you see when selecting tickets. trainsplit.com has better reviews on Trustpilot. Hence, I think this is the best platform among the three. Compared to TrainPal, these websites are more straightforward and less cluttered with distracting marketing.
• splitmyfare.co.uk search returns same (or slightly higher) costs than trainsplit.com and TrainPal app, but still cheaper than standard prices on NationalRail or train operators' websites.

Not Recommended

TrainTickets.com and Trainline split-ticketing feature: they tend to display prices that are comparable to those found directly on NationalRail or individual train operators’ websites. As such, they may not provide the cost savings that you are looking for.

Is Youtube not working on your Huawei matepad?

Experiencing trouble with YouTube on your Huawei MatePad? You're not alone. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions you can try to get your videos playing smoothly again.

Solution 1: Install the YouTube App Through Gspace

One straightforward approach is to install the YouTube app from Gspace. This allows you to watch YouTube videos directly from the app without any hassle.

Solution 2: Opt for a Non-Chrome-Based Browser

Another effective workaround is to use a browser other than Chrome. Browsers like Microsoft Edge or Firefox have shown success in playing YouTube videos seamlessly on the MatePad.

Solution 3: Tweak Chrome Settings

If you're keen on using Chrome, simply change the browser's setting by navigating to Chrome://flags. Here, you'll need to disable the 'Android SurfaceControl' option. Don't forget to restart Chrome afterwards. Once done, try loading a YouTube video; it should now work without any issues.

Ranking of UK university league tables

There are three major league tables for UK universities: Complete University Guide (CUG), Times and Sunday Times (Times), and Guardian University Guide (Guardian). They use different metrics hence results for a same university differ a lot in these league tables. 

I found CUG is the most useful, not only because its metrics are comprehensive, taking teaching, research, and graduate prospects into consideration, but also it is freely available. Although Times league table's metrics are similar, it is usually behind a paywall. Having digged around, I found a free version of Times 2024 league table available here. Guardian league table does not including research metrics. It might be useful for students to choose their undergraduate study, but is less useful for postgraduate students and academics.

In terms of comprehensiveness and openness, I would rank these leagues tables below.

• CUG
• Times
• Guardian