“I know I’m not the only one who takes little Facebook breaks,” said Mikel Hanni, a sophomore in biology.
A quick glance at computer screens in the Marriott Library or the Union confirms Hanni’s observation. Students are logging onto social media as finals approach.
“I have been studying biology for five hours and just need a quick break, so I turn to Facebook for some release,” Hanni said. “Besides, everyone is posting about how finals [are] the worst or how they hate studying and pulling all-nighters.”
Sean Long, a junior in parks, recreation and tourism, blames Netflix for his distraction.
“I just needed to listen to ‘Breaking Bad’ for background noise, then the next thing you know, it’s 3 a.m., I’m two seasons in, and I still need to write my paper,” he said.
During class, these distractions can take away from the lectures. Richard Chung, a TA in chemistry, said he sees more students on Facebook and Twitter than taking notes.
“I don’t understand why students even come to class if they are just going to be on their computers the whole time,” Chung said. “Class is a place to learn, not a place to go on the Internet.”
Cam Williams, an undeclared freshman, said he tries to pay attention when he is paying for class, but feels he can learn stuff online by himself.
“Even when I really want to focus, I just get so bored and end up checking out my news feed,” Williams said.
Ashley Wilson, a sophomore in biology, said she has a series of steps to avoid being distracted.
“If I need to use my phone or laptop at all I only allow myself certain windows of distractions to use them,” she said. “I also make lists so that every time I complete an objective I can check it off and reward myself with a Snapchat or sending out tweets.”
Wilson said the constant influx of messages is the most distracting part for her.
“If my friends tweet me or send a text, I feel like I have to respond immediately,” she said. “That gets really time-consuming after a while. The only way I avoid that is to turn my cell on airplane mode.”
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