Technology is woven into every part of my day—whether I’m working, studying, or relaxing. Like many people my age, I rely heavily on my phone and computer to stay connected, productive, and entertained. However, with this dependence comes a constant challenge: finding a healthy balance between tech use for academic purposes and personal well-being.

On a typical day, I find myself reaching for my phone first thing in the morning. Apps like Snapchat are my main way of staying in touch with my girlfriend, while Instagram is my go-to for mindless doom scrolling when I have a few minutes (or hours) to spare. BandLab is where I experiment with music, one of my creative outlets, and games like Clash of Clans and Everyday Puzzles, which are easy ways to pass the time. Spotify, on the other hand, is almost always running—whether I’m in the car, in the shower, working out, or even doing math homework.

When it comes to academics, my laptop becomes the main tool. UR Courses is my primary platform for accessing class materials, and Google Docs is essential for writing assignments—like this one. For help with challenging topics, especially in math, YouTube videos can be lifesavers. I also rely on alarms through the Clock app to stay on schedule, especially on days when I’m running low on sleep. Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ are my default relaxation modes after a long day of classes or work.

Of course, not all tech use is productive. Instagram and BandLab, while fun and fulfilling in different ways, often end up distracting me from studying. I’ve tried strategies like deleting TikTok (though I’ll admit I redownloaded it), but my overall balance between screen time and productivity still needs work. One approach that helps me is setting alarms to block off time for focused work, giving myself breaks in between to scroll or listen to music.

Ultimately, I recognize that my relationship with technology is complicated. It helps me stay connected, creative, and on track with my studies—but it also eats up time if I’m not careful. Finding a healthier balance is a work in progress, but being more mindful of how I use my devices is a step in the right direction.

Hello! My name is Kaelin Krukoff. I was born and raised in Moose Jaw, and my favourite hobby is watching TV and movies. I was a French immersion student, and in elementary, my class often practiced our French on Duolingo. Although I do not remember much, Duolingo was engaging since it kept a streak of the number of days you’ve learned in a row. In high school, teachers used Kahoot a lot as an assessment tool. I remember it working better in high school because elementary students would sometimes answer before reading the questions for a chance to beat their friends. Currently, I am a math major, so I use Chatgpt and YouTube to help me understand math-related concepts or quickly remind me of any math I had forgotten from previous years. One of my favourite YouTubers is The Organic Chemistry Tutor. I also use Chatgpt to answer any random questions I may have in everyday life.
Personally, I dislike posting on any social media at all, and blogging is no exception, although I understand the importance of creating a professional webspace in place of a resume. One of the challenges I face with blogging is coming up with enough original content to show that I tried without stretching it for no reason, and it gets worse when wanting to write a lengthy blog about something that you have no concrete opinion on. Also, I am hesitant to share opinions that I fear may appear controversial, especially when countering a professor.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheOrganicChemistryTutor

Kahoot. (2017). 4 ways Kahoot!’s Jumble game will benefit your class [Photograph]. https://kahoot.com/blog/2017/02/10/4-ways-kahoots-jumble-game-will-benefit-class/