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- by Charlotte King
- In Student Life
Posted July 16, 2014
Postgrads and Turning Off Your Smartphone!
We live in a world where technological marvels are very literally at our fingertips. There is no better example of this than the average smartphone. Did you know that even the most basic of phones has more computing power than the Apollo spacecraft that took us to the moon? Obviously, these phones can come in quite handy. Not only are they a means for us to stay in touch with our friends and loved ones, but a wealth of information is literally a click away. So, it should come as no great surprise that postgraduate students are keen to enjoy the benefits that they offer. Still, your daily commitments need to take into account that too much of a good thing can indeed be too much. Let's look at this observation a bit further.
Benefits at a Price?
First, it should be clear that the advantages provided by a smartphone cannot be overstated. However, maintaining a constant connection to social media, email and the Internet in general can actually cause a great deal of stress. The main reason for this is that in a very real way, you will be consistently connected to your work. So, it will be difficult for you to find any valuable downtime that is required to rest and recuperate.
Also (and you may already feel this way), such a constant connection can cause you to feel obliged to answer every email, SMS and chat request. While some of these will naturally be essential in your studies, others can simply take up more of your limited time. So, is there any remedy to this situation? Can we find a balance between modern technology and the need to occasionally relax? The answer is simpler than you think.
All Work and No Play...
You will need to find a balance between phone usage and times when you "disconnect" from the virtual grid. You can think of these "switch-off" periods as ways to recharge your batteries as well as those of your device. Depending upon how attached you have become to your smartphone, this task may be difficult at first. Still, it is important to remember that the smartphone was the stuff of fiction only a decade ago. Postgraduates survived without them and the world did not come crashing down.
A great way to begin stepping back from your phone is to begin scheduling an hour every day or evening when it will be turned off no matter what. You may feel a slight withdrawal at first, but it will soon become apparent that such a brief hiatus has its own benefits. Namely, you will be able to appreciate the "here and now" more than previously. In a similar manner, it is a good idea to switch off your phone while studying or in class (many teachers are actually making this mandatory). You will begin to feel more centred and above all, less distractions equate to the ability to retain more information.
While the smartphone is indeed one of the most powerful tools that we possess to stay connected to the world around us, learning to cut down on this virtual habit will produce viable and long-lasting results in your life and studies.
Related articles
Benefits at a Price?
First, it should be clear that the advantages provided by a smartphone cannot be overstated. However, maintaining a constant connection to social media, email and the Internet in general can actually cause a great deal of stress. The main reason for this is that in a very real way, you will be consistently connected to your work. So, it will be difficult for you to find any valuable downtime that is required to rest and recuperate.
Also (and you may already feel this way), such a constant connection can cause you to feel obliged to answer every email, SMS and chat request. While some of these will naturally be essential in your studies, others can simply take up more of your limited time. So, is there any remedy to this situation? Can we find a balance between modern technology and the need to occasionally relax? The answer is simpler than you think.
All Work and No Play...
You will need to find a balance between phone usage and times when you "disconnect" from the virtual grid. You can think of these "switch-off" periods as ways to recharge your batteries as well as those of your device. Depending upon how attached you have become to your smartphone, this task may be difficult at first. Still, it is important to remember that the smartphone was the stuff of fiction only a decade ago. Postgraduates survived without them and the world did not come crashing down.
A great way to begin stepping back from your phone is to begin scheduling an hour every day or evening when it will be turned off no matter what. You may feel a slight withdrawal at first, but it will soon become apparent that such a brief hiatus has its own benefits. Namely, you will be able to appreciate the "here and now" more than previously. In a similar manner, it is a good idea to switch off your phone while studying or in class (many teachers are actually making this mandatory). You will begin to feel more centred and above all, less distractions equate to the ability to retain more information.
While the smartphone is indeed one of the most powerful tools that we possess to stay connected to the world around us, learning to cut down on this virtual habit will produce viable and long-lasting results in your life and studies.
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