At a Glance
When first assigned to take note of each time I used my phone, I knew it would be an eye-opening experience. I had these expectations because of my past realizations about how much I’m consistently using my phone as well as the fact that communications class has boosted that number even higher. What intrigued me even more was being able to see the larger sample size once it was all over, how the rest of my class made out.
Phone Usage
Total Interactions: 70
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Social Interaction: 40
- Phones Calls: 2
- Snapchat: 17
- Instagram: 11
- Facebook: 4
- Fantasy Football: 4
Text Interaction: 30
- Text Message Interactions: 17
- Other: 13
Location of Usage:
- Dorm: 42
- Common Room: 13
- Bathroom: 5
- Campion: 7
- Class: 3
Reflection
Taking note of each time I used my phone surely made me aware of how often I was using it. After a while it began to feel like I was paying a price for each time I used my phone. I also found myself answering questions like, “What’s that little book?” or, “What are you doing?”, it didn’t take long for my entire floor to catch on to the fact that I was keeping track of each time I used my phone. I have gotten used to breaking up my schoolwork with a quick check of the phone, over this 48 hour period I found myself creating more work for myself just by using my phone. Shortly in to this assignment I decided to really minimize my phone use while doing any work out of my own best interest. Additionally, having to carry the small notebook around everywhere I went sometimes dictated what I was wearing. I had make sure I had enough space in my pockets and large enough pockets to carry around a small notebook and a pen. Through this assignment I have learned much about my relationship with my phone. I discovered that when I’m bored I almost immediately feel the urge to begin using my phone and either reach out to others or try to tap in to what others are doing, I think my classmates would feel similarly. I’ve noticed that much of the time spent on my phone is time wasted and it is starting to baffle me that with such access to incredible technology most of the time consumption is wasted on junk instead of working progressively. There is hardly anything stopping me from using my phone when I’m on a regular schedule. Sometimes, I feel coerced to use my phone even more when I’m in larger groups simply because of all of the people around me zoned in on their phones. Some of the things I feel less guilt about is the time I spend communicating with my friends, family, and listening to music I enjoy. The time I spend on my phone is generally not about self promotion or selfies. I’ll occasionally promote my blog on twitter, or perhaps promote my radio show once a week through Snapchat, on Fridays from 2-3 PM if you’re curious. I have also caught on to the uprising trend of my phone use since arriving at Saint Joseph’s. During this past summer, I would keep up with a few friends in my town along with my parents. Since late August I’ve found myself in touch with far more students in trying to make friends, I’m also in touch with teachers and club leaders on a weekly basis through e-mail. Though my results did not shock me, in the end I was able to truly put a number on how much time I’ve spent on my phone and how central it is to my way of living.