Technology and Procrastination: The Ultimate Dynamic Duo

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had an important assignment due, only 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.

Apps:  From Leisure to Learning

I use a wide variety of apps and social media platforms daily. For leisure, 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 academic side, I rely on apps like Google Docs, Slides, Drive, Google Chrome, Canva, the UofR app, and a handful of others. 

Staying Organized: My Love for the Paper Planner

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-and-pen organizer. There’s something about seeing my schedule laid out on paper that feels more reliable and manageable. I need to see everything at a glance, and for me, nothing beats the simplicity of flipping through a paper planner.

The Struggle with 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 hurdles of growing up in a tech-centered world. With technology now essential in schools, distractions are inevitable. For instance, if I’m working on an assignment on my MacBook, which is connected to my phone, I’ll get a text notification mid-task. These interruptions wouldn’t be as frequent 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 complete anything. It’s a constant balancing act 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 incredibly 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 curated moments of people’s lives. Whether it’s a trip, a night out with friends, or anything designed to paint the perfect picture, it creates a constant comparison game. It’s hard not to feel like you’re missing out, and that distraction can be overwhelming at times.

The Truth: 

In conclusion, I am an active tech user in my everyday life, whether it’s for school or leisure. There’s simply no escaping it. Below, I’ll share my screen time breakdown—not something I’m particularly proud of, but something I want to be transparent about as a 22-year-old university student. Through this blog post, I hope to receive comments on strategies you use to remain productive as tech users in your everyday lives. I’d also love recommendations for apps or programs that help track mental well-being, manage assignments, or organize day-to-day schedules. These are tools I’d like to explore in the future. (Even though I truly believe they will never take over my paper planner!). Finally, I’d be especially grateful for any app or website suggestions that are helpful for educators, as I’m always looking to expand my “online teaching toolbox.”