Technology and Procrastination: The Ultimate Dynamic Duo

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had an important assignment due, just to push it off again and again, convincing myself I deserve a break. It usually starts with my inner voice saying, “Just work for 30 minutes, then you can take a quick 5-minute social media break.” So, I open TikTok, set a mental timer for 10 minutes, and start scrolling. Next thing I know, I check the time—it’s been 11 minutes. Of course, I think, “Well, I might as well round it up to 15 now.” And the cycle continues. (I really hope that I am not the only one who experiences this!!). 

Apps: Learning or Lesiuring 

I use a lot of apps and social media platforms daily. For “fun”, I often turn to Snapchat (which, honestly, I find myself disliking more as I get older…lol!), Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Messenger, X, and a few others. On the productive side, I rely on apps like Google Docs, Slides, Drive, Google Chrome, Canva, the UofR app, and a handful of others.

The Paper Planner <3

One thing that surprises me about myself is how rarely I use technology to stay organized. I’ve tried countless times to use online calendars and assignment trackers, but I always end up going back to my trusty paper organizer. There’s something about seeing my schedule laid out on paper that feels a lot easier for me. 

Productivity vs. Distraction

Separating “productive” screen time from “mindless scrolling” is a challenge for me (and I find myself facing it daily). This, in my opinion, is one of the biggest challenges of growing up in a “tech” world. With technology now used daily in schools, distractions are a struggle. For instance, if I’m working on an assignment on my MacBook, (which is connected to my phone), I’ll get a text notification while I am doing an assignment. These interruptions wouldn’t be happening so often  if the world didn’t rely so heavily on technology (if I were reading a hardcover textbook in the library, no notification would be popping up). Today, every class has assignments and resources online, meaning we always need to stay “connected” to do/finish anything. It’s a constant battle (for me at least) between staying focused and avoiding distractions.

The FOMO Factor

Another challenge of being online to complete assignments (especially with my phone and computer connected) is that I’m a huge “FOMO” sufferer. If you’re not familiar, FOMO stands for “fear of missing out.” In today’s world, it’s almost too easy to see what everyone is doing with just the click of a button. Snap Maps show where your friends are and when they were last online, while Instagram highlights carefully put together moments of people’s lives. It’s hard not to feel like you’re missing out, and that distraction can be very stressful and sad at times.

The Truth: 

In conclusion, I am an active tech user in my everyday life (sadly, but truthfully), whether it’s for school or leisure. There’s simply no escaping it (well… for me at least). Below, I’ll share my screen time breakdown…not something I’m proud of, but something I want to be transparent about as a 22-year-old university student. 

Side Note: I’d be very grateful for any app or website suggestions that are helpful for educators (as educators), as I’m always looking to expand my “online teaching toolbox.”