Have you ever worked on a large Excel document where you’ve scrolled down to find a figure, but then you’ve had to scroll back up to the top again to remind yourself of what the headings was for that column?!
There’s an incredibly useful function in Excel that can help with this issue, which enables you to freeze single or multiple rows and columns. You can access this feature within Excel by clicking View > FreezePanes.
Watch the video below to learn how to freeze columns and rows:
Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)
Have you ever felt like your phone was controlling you more than you were controlling it? That was me, until I hit a breaking point last year. Frustrated by the failed attempts to reduce my screen time and the feeling of being stuck in a digital world, I embarked on a digital detox journey throughout December – you can read about it here.
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience, the highs and lows, and the lessons I learned from reclaiming control over my digital habits.
👍 Positive changes from my detox
Less, not more, loneliness. I never realised how much social media drained my social battery. After some time without it, I found it easier to go out and interact with people, and I certainly didn’t miss the FOMO.
Better emotional awareness. I thought using my phone helped regulate my emotions, but it was just a distraction. After an unpleasant adjustment, I could recognise and process my feelings more healthily.
A new morning routine. I thought I didn’t have one, but my morning routine was using my phone. Once I stopped, I found it easier to do other things, like journaling with a cup of tea.
Effortless productivity & creativity. I could get a lot done in those little moments when I would normally pick up my phone. I also had the headspace to come up with my own solutions rather than seeking them online.
Better rest. The quality of my sleep improved, and I found little breaks throughout the day more restful.
Living in the moment. I found it easier to enjoy the everyday moments, and the time seemingly slowed down.
👎 Some of the downsides and challenges I experienced
My digital habits migrated to other apps. For a while, I found it difficult not to replace social media with YouTube or even scrolling through my photos or messages. I found the ScreenZen app to be very helpful – read my review of the app here.
The adjustment period. For some time, I felt irritable and bored and craved using my phone all the time. I needed to re-learn how to spend my time and be patient.
The inconvenience. I was surprised how much I needed to use my phone to check the time, set the alarm or timer, use two-factor authentication, or pay for things.
Missing out. Many events, such as local gigs or club and society events, are only advertised online. I found out about many opportunities after they happened, and even when searching proactively, most search results took me to social media sites, which often required logging in to access the full content.
My advice for those interested in doing a digital detox
It doesn’t need to be perfect. Even if you need to use devices for work/study or if you slip up in your commitments, not all is lost – you can still majorly benefit from the experience.
Tweak as you go. You may need to adjust your expectations if things don’t exactly go as planned, this isn’t a failure. Celebrate small successes and find what feels good to help you build sustainable habits.
It’s not all bliss, but not all boredom, either. There will be moments when you’ll want to quit and moments when you won’t regret a thing. Your experience and everything you learn about yourself will be unique, perhaps the most valuable thing.
It is extremely important that everyone has the choice to work on their computer in the language they wish. On St David’s Day, I want to share with you some of my favourite tips for making working in Welsh on your computer much more convenient.
Tip 1: Change your computer language to Welsh
One of the first things you can do is change your computer’s display language. This will change your computer interface and icons like Settings and File Explorer will appear in Welsh.
Follow the following instructions to customize your computer’s display language for Windows PCs, Mac computers, or if you are on a public computer on the campus of Aberystwyth University.
Additional suggestion: Did you know that you can also customize the display language of your mobile phone? Follow the following instructions for your AndroidorApplephones.
Tip 2: Change the language of specific software to Welsh
If you don’t want to change the language of your computer, there is also an option for you to change the language of certain software, and you can do this in any Microsoft Office programme (e.g. Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.). You have the choice to change the display language and to change your authoring and proof-reading language. Follow the following instructions to learn how to change specific software language.
Tip 3: Using the to bach app
While writing in Welsh, have you ever used the symbols button to find accents or circumflexes for letters? You don’t need to do that anymore!
You can download the to bach software on your work computer from the software centre or on your Personal computer, then hold the Alt Gr key and press the vowel you wish to add a circumflex to it:
Keystroke
Symbol
Alt Gr + a
â
Alt Gr + e
ê
Alt Gr + o
ô
Alt Gr + i
î
Alt Gr + y
ŷ
Alt Gr + w
ŵ
Alt Gr + u
û
Tip 4: Change the proofreading language of your documents
If you haven’t changed the authoring and proofreading language of a particular software (see tip 2), you could modify the proofreading language of individual documents to ensure that spelling errors and simple grammatical errors are highlighted.
Watch the following video to learn how to change the proofreading language of your documents.
Tip 5: Spellcheck your text with Cysill
Cysill is part of the Cysgliad language software package that you can download to your computer. Cysill will allow you to find and correct Welsh errors in your text, and includes an useful thesaurus.
Read DigitalTip 2 where we give you instructions on how to download and use the Cysill app and the online version.
Tip 6: Additional Linguistic Resources
You can also find a plethora of terminology databases online. Here are some of the most popular ones:
TermCymru – a terminology database supported by the Welsh Government Translation Service.
In addition to the resources mentioned above, there is extensive information on the Centre for Welsh Services’ webpage on language resources.
Further Support 💬
If you would like to speak to a member of the Digital Skills Team about using your computer in Welsh, and for any help with any of the above suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email (digi@aber.ac.uk), or call by our weekly Digital Skills drop-in sessions in the Hugh Owen Library.
Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Main positives: Free. Customisable settings for different apps. Motivating.
Main negatives: Take a bit of time to set up for each app.
Nowadays, smartphone users often find themselves in a losing battle when it comes to staying focused. Access to distracting apps has become so easy and habit-forming that we get lost in the digital world before we get a chance to make a deliberate choice. This is one of the reasons I decided to try a digital detox in December, and that was when ScreenZen came to the rescue!
What is ScreenZen?
ScreenZen is a configurable app that empowers users to set boundaries with their devices. Unlike traditional app blockers that restrict access entirely, ScreenZen introduces a novel approach by increasing the barrier to entry. By providing users with time and mental space to make conscious decisions about their digital consumption, ScreenZen naturally fosters mindfulness in the interaction with technology and, therefore, better digital wellbeing.
The app is entirely free and available for both Apple and Android users.
What are ScreenZen’s main features?
What sets ScreenZen apart is its remarkable customisability, and its main features are:
Allowing you to choose a specific wait time before you open each app.
Interrupting you whilst using selected apps after a set time (you can set different times for your various apps).
Cutting you off when you’ve reached your daily time limit or pick-up limit (i.e. how many times you open an app each day) and even preventing you from changing the settings to get around it.
Displaying a motivating message or remining you of more valuable activities to you.
Introducing more mindfulness into your digital habits by prompting you to do breathing activities whilst waiting for the app to unlock, which also encourages you to reevaluate your need to use the app you’re trying to open.
For the goal motivated, accessing streaks and other stats to track your progress and encourage you to stay on track, but only for the apps you choose, so you can still read ebooks or use your favourite meditation app without worrying about losing your streak!
Set your own limits to how many times you can use each app
Customise the schedule for individual apps
Pause your distracting app for your chosen time length with a customisable message
My final thoughts on ScreenZen
Will I continue to use ScreenZen? Absolutely!
My favourite thing about this app is that it makes it easier to align my digital choices with my values and routines and can be useful to anyone. Whether you prefer strict limits or simply looking to cultivate awareness of your digital habits, ScreenZen accommodates these diverse preferences. The customisability features mean it takes a while to set up, but once set up, I found this app to be a valuable addition to supporting my digital wellbeing.
Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)
In today’s digital age, online meetings have become an integral part of academic and professional life. Whether attending a virtual lecture, collaborating on a group project, or attending a job interview, knowing how to navigate online meetings effectively is crucial for success.
In this blogpost I’m going to share some tips to help you navigate online meetings, and you can also visit this webpage for FAQs and training guidance on using MS Teams.
1) Prepare as you would for an in-person meeting
Online meetings provide the convenience of not needing to leave your house. This comes with the temptation to roll out of bed 5 minutes before the start of the meeting. To give yourself the best chance for success:
Dress as you would for an in-person meeting.
Give yourself some time to get mentally ready to avoid feeling rushed and get into the right headspace.
Take the chance to go over your notes, prepare any questions or gather any files you need to share.
2) Connect early
This will give you a chance to resolve any technical issues. Test your software, as it might require updates, causing you to have to restart the app or device.
You can use this additional time to ensure that you’re familiar with all the available functions in MS Teams, such as the chat, raise-your-hand, screen sharing and live captions functions.
3) Curate your visuals
Here are the top tips for making a positive, professional impression:
Choose a laptop over a phone or a tablet if possible. This can help with image stability, as well as allows you to take notes more freely. If you can’t access a laptop, consider using a device stand.
Position your camera at eye level, as this will result in the most natural-looking image.
Look at the camera rather than the screen when talking, particularly in group meetings. This is as close as you can get to making an eye contact.
Ensure that you have good lighting.
Choose the right background. Follow this FAQ for instructions on how to add a virtual background.
Virtual background and effects available in MS Teams
4) Optimise your audio
Opt for a carpeted and furnished room, if possible. This will result in a warmer, more natural sound without an echo effect.
If possible, use a headset instead of the built-in microphone to help improve with the quality of your audio.
Keep your microphone muted when you’re not speaking to prevent any unwanted noise.
5) Minimise distractions
Choose private, quiet spaces over communal or public spaces.
Silence notifications and inform others not to be disturbed if necessary.
There may be times when you need to step away from the meeting (e.g. if someone rings the doorbell), in which case let the people in the meeting know by leaving a brief message in the chat.
6) Mind What You Share
If you need to share your screen during the meeting it’s always better to share a specific window rather than your entire screen, but there may be occasions where this is unavoidable. In which case:
Close any irrelevant tabs.
Mute or close programs to avoid notifications or other pop-ups. Or alternatively, turn on the do not disturb mode.
Move, rename, or delete any sensitive bookmarks or files.
Consider deleting your cookies and search history if your browser shows previous searches or uses auto-fill.
Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)
Taking charge of your digital identity is now more crucial than ever. Safeguard your privacy, strengthen your security, and unlock potential professional opportunities with the short guide below.
1.Review Your Privacy Settings
Take advantage of tools that allow you to display your content as it’s visible to your audience, customise privacy settings for individual posts or modify what information can be used to search your profile. You can read thisarticle for more information on the privacy settings available on the most popular social media sites.
2.Share Thoughtfully
Don’t solely rely on privacy settings. Think before posting, considering the potential impact on your reputation and safety. Be cautious of content that could be misinterpreted or taken out of context, and don’t share sensitive personal information unnecessarily.
3.Monitor Your Digital Footprint
Regularly search your name online to assess available information. Consider setting up alerts for new mentions or content associated with your name.
4.Curate Your Content
Align shared content with your desired digital image. Remove or update outdated or irrelevant information.
5.Build a Professional Online Presence
Showcase skills and achievements on professional platforms, maintaining a professional tone and image in your communication. For example, you can add certificate of completions for LinkedIn Learning courses on your personal LinkedIn account. For multi-purpose platforms, consider creating separate profiles for personal and professional use. If you are interested in building a LinkedIn profile, a recording of the Careers Services’ LinkedIn session is available here.
For further information about managing your digital identity, you can watch the Careers Services’ session on this topic from the Digital Skills Festival.
Blogpost by Shân Saunders (Digital Capabilities and Skills Development Coordinator)
With the advancement of phones and technology there’s now an app for everything – including reading! As an avid reader I like to challenge myself with yearly goals, discuss books with fellow readers and gain reading stats. With my top three reading apps – all of these are possible!
Goodreads
Goodreads is great for tracking your current reads and staying on track for your reading goals.
Set yourself a yearly reading challenge and Goodreads will tell you whether you’re on track.
Track your current reads to see how far through you are.
Receive a badge if you reach your goal.
View books you’ve read in previous years.
Create reading shelves for your needs like “want to read”.
Scan book covers instead of searching for them.
Discover new books based on your recent reads, new releases and trending books.
Have you ever copied and pasted content from a webpage or another document into a new Word document and found that it completely messes up your formatting? Luckily, there are additional options outside of the basic pasting option (ctrl+v) which can help solve this!
Start by selecting where you want to paste your content and right-click with your cursor. You’ll then find several additional paste options (the options visible will be based on the type of content that you’ve copied).
Here’s a summary of what the most common 4 paste options will do:
Keep Formatting
This keeps the formatting of the text that you’ve just copied (be it from a webpage, another document, or another source).
Merge Formatting
This option changes the formatting of the text so that it matches the formatting of the text that surrounds it.
Use Destination Styles
This option formats the copied text so that it matches the formatting of the text where you’ve pasted your text
Keep Text Only
This option discards any existing formatting AND any non-text elements you have copied (e.g. images or tables).
Emojis have become an essential part of how we communicate, and they can be fantastic for expressing our emotions with just a single character 🥰🤣🙄🤯😴
Most of us will be more familiar with using emojis on our mobile phones 📱, but there will be times when we’ll want to include emojis when using our laptops or computers 💻. Instead of googling for the emoji you need, why not access it directly from your keyboard!?
On both Windows and Mac, you can access your emoji keyboard in seconds by selecting:
Windows – Windows Key + “.” (period button/full stop)
Mac – CommandKey + Control + Spacebar
Watch the video below to see how this shortcut works on a Windows device.
Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)
Most of us engage with digital devices daily, and just like our physical spaces, they often become home to clutter, affecting our wellbeing and productivity. In this blog post, I will share the most effective strategies for reclaiming my digital spaces.
Preparing For Your Decluttering Journey
Try approaching your clutter with curiosity rather than judgment. This will help you stay positive and better understand your digital habits. Visualise the positive impact decluttering will have on your wellbeing.
Expect this process to take time. Sorting through years of accumulated digital content can be daunting, but sizing up the challenge and allocating the right time and space can make it more manageable.
Start with the quick wins that will make the most immense impact with minimal effort. This will allow you to build up momentum and approach the more difficult tasks with empowerment.
Consider any upcoming longer journeys as opportunities to make progress on your decluttering adventure.
Deciding what to keep and what to delete may be challenging. Ask yourself what would happen if everything were to disappear?
Quick Wins: Small Actions Can Yield Big Results
Each of these 5-10 minute tasks is beneficial alone, but as you progress through the list, their impact compounds for greater effect.
Cleaning your desktop: Delete unnecessary files and find a home for the rest to achieve the bliss of an empty virtual desk.
Decluttering your apps: You might be surprised at the number of apps on your phone or desktop that you no longer notice. Uninstall any apps you don’t use to free up space and minimise distractions.
Customising your home screen: Make apps that you want to use often more accessible and hide ones that are likely to distract you by using folders. Consider adding shortcuts to quickly access lists such as shopping, gift ideas or business ideas lists, preventing you from adding to the clutter with every stroke of genius.
Reviewing your notification settings: Disable unhelpful notifications to avoid overloading your lockscreen.
Customising your taskbar and quick access bars: Delete or unpin features you don’t find useful to implement your organisational systems.
Cleaning your downloads folder: Eliminate unnecessary files and duplicates to free up space.
Decluttering your browser: Remove unused extensions and bookmarks to streamline your browsing experience and pin the tools you’d like to use more often. Consider clearing your cookies and cache to protect your privacy, keeping in mind you might get signed out or remove saved preferences on some sites.
Clearing your screenshots: The screenshot folder is often a catch-all for single-use files.
