Do you and your phone need a break?
Digital devices have become integral and necessary parts of college students' lives. The classroom portal - a college student’s essential roadmap - is accessed online. Need to know when your next club meeting is? Instagram may be the only place to find that answer. From knowing what projects have been assigned, to learning about on-campus and social events, the small rectangle in your pocket has it all.
Most college students report feeling pressure to stay connected to their digital devices, yet 60% of students admit that technology makes it harder for them to manage their time, and it negatively impacts their academic work and in-person relationships. Ironically, despite spending hours on social media “connecting,” more than half of college students say they feel lonely even though they are active online (Rocketbook study June 2023).
Your relationship with technology is just as important to wellness as the sleep, exercise, and nutrition you get, says Kelly Dillon, an Associate Professor of Communication & Digital Media at Wittenberg University in Ohio. Dillon says that recognizing you may have an unhealthy relationship with the digital world is the first step in making a healthy break. Here are some of our tips (and some from Inside HigherEd) that can help you take a realistic but meaningful break from technology:
Track your total media use over 24 hours … really paying attention to how much time you spend online can be motivating in and of itself.
Use the distraction-blocking functions on your phone to your advantage: during focused study or reading periods set your phone on airplane mode, turn on do not disturb, or download an app like Pomodoro or Unplugged that will remind you to set your phone down if you pick it up during the allotted time. The Forest app will allow you to plant a tree … if you use your phone during the session, you kill the tree.
Change your display settings to just black, white and gray - it makes your phone less desirable to look at.
Study with a friend - and both put your phones away. Even telling your friends you are trying to limit your phone use holds you accountable and will help you reach your goal.
Close your laptop and take written notes during class. In addition to decreasing distractions, taking notes by hand increases your memory recall when studying for exams. Studies have also found that students who take handwritten notes are better at connecting concepts and answering conceptual questions than those who use a laptop for note-taking.
At College Success Plan we help students with ALL things college, enabling them to get the most out of their own education. This includes goal setting … and our goals often include creating healthy relationships with technology so students can be present and involve themselves on campus. We help with registration, college transition, and much more, in our individualized, one-on-one coaching programs. Think your student could benefit from working with a college coach? Schedule a free consultation with us today!
