Tech and Me: Navigating Digital Tools, Distractions, and Balance in Daily Life

In today’s world, technology is deeply woven into nearly every aspect of our live—whether we realize it or not. I’ve noticed that a large portion of my day is spent engaging with technology, and lately, I’ve become more mindful of how it impacts my habits, productivity, and overall wellbeing. This week, I made a conscious effort to reflect on how I interact with technology, and here’s what I discovered.

My Most-Used Platforms: Academic and Social Blends

On a typical day, I found myself bouncing between a few core apps and platforms. Unsurprisingly, academics take up a significant portion of my screen time. I’m enrolled in classes at the University of Regina year-around, except during the summer semester. Because of this, I estimate that around 60% of my daily screen time is dedicated to schoolwork—outside of work hours and time spend resting.

The academic platforms I frequently use is Google Docs to complete assignments, and occasionally Canva for creating visuals and presentations for certain classes. Ur Courses is also a key platform I use for accessing course materials and submitting work.

iPhones offer a handy screen time feature that tracks app usage daily and weekly. According to last week’s report, I spent an average of 13 minutes per day—or 1 hour and 32 minutes per week—on Google Docs via my phone. However, I primarily use my laptop for academic work, and I estimate I spend about 3 hours per day on Google Docs there. Similarly, while Safari logged 31 minutes per day (3 hours and 42 minutes per week) on UR Courses via my phone, I actually spend closer to 3 hours daily on this site through my laptop as well.

Outside of academics, I spend time on apps like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram—mostly for entertainment and connecting with friends. While platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are purely recreational, I do occasionally find educational content on TikTok. I follow several teacher accounts that share helpful resources for the classroom. One of my favourites is Education to the Core, which offers affordable teaching materials through a promoted website I’ve bookmarked for future use.

Staying Organized: Digital Tools That Keep Me on Track

To stay organized, my go-to tool is Google Calendar. I use it to keep track of work shifts, class times, assignment deadlines, and appointments. What I love about it is that it’s accessible on any device and allows for colour coding—purple for appointments, light blue for work, and individual colours for each class. It also sends me timely notifications, which help me stay on top of things.

When I first started University, I used Google Sheets to track my assignments, inspired by someone on TikTok. While that system was helpful, I’ve since found that Google Calendar works better for me. It helps me visualize my week and reduces the anxiety that comes with worrying I’ve forgotten something.

Tackling Digital Distractions

As much as we like to think technology only benefits us, it can also be one of the biggest obstacles to productivity. One of my biggest distractions is TikTok. I’m not sure if it’s the habit of endlessly scrolling or falling down rabbit holes, but I often find myself saying, “I’ll just watch one video,” and suddenly, an hour has passed. I’m especially guilty of this at bedtime. That said, I’ve never submitted a late assignment or let my distractions significantly affect my academic performance.

One strategy that’s helped me is learning to distinguish between intentional tech use and mindless scrolling. When I sit down to do homework, I try to create a focused environment. Since the weather has warmed up, I’ve started working in my backyard, away from people and the TV. I also turn on “Focus Mode” on my phone to silence notifications and restrict access to distracting apps.

Recently, I discovered a platform called LifeAt.io through TikTok. It’s a virtual workspace that creates calming, customizable environments designed to help you focus. It includes simple to-do lists, customizable timers, and background scenes. My favorite is Mount Shuksan—a serene view of mountains and a lake, complete with birds chirping and water flowing in the background. I highly recommend trying it out!

Source: Luminex. Top 5 Aesthetic Virtual Study Spaces to Instantly Boost Focus. Medium. https://medium.com/@Luminex/top-5-aesthetic-virtual-study spaces-to-instantly-boost-focus-52a6d9a589ea

Final Thoughts

This week has helped me become more aware of how I use technology—both the ways it supports me and the ways it can get in the way. With the right tools and a bit of self-awareness, I believe we can all strike a healthy balance in our digital lives.