[ot-caption title=”Students can get distracted during their free periods with all of the technology in front of them. (via, Jason Kelman, Junior)”]

Many students are constantly distracted by Instagram, Netflix, Snapchat and many other addicting diversions each night while trying to get their work done. For this reason, numerous students spend hours doing their work when it may really only take maybe an hour or two.

Sophomore Sam Printz commented, “Whenever I get a text I check it, but then I end up also checking all my other social media.” Sam also explained her method for preventing distraction. “In order to avoid constantly wondering what is going on in the social media world, it is best to just put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb.’ You will get so focused on your homework that you won’t even realize that you have worked for an hour without being on your phone.”

Likewise, Junior Noah Stollman explains, “When I have tons of work to do I really try hard to put my phone away for a few hours and get done what I need to do. However, when I don’t have too much work, I end up being on my phone for way too long because I am procrastinating to do the small amount of work I have. It really all depends on how disciplined you want to be.”

This issue also becomes prominent during the school day. With students sneaking quick looks at their phones during class, their learning is interrupted.  When asked about the issue, Spanish teacher Señora Fiallo stated, “I find that some students, at the beginning of class and usually the end, are already concerned about their phone and take them out to check messages. So, at the beginning I remind my students to put their phone away because they are not suffering from nomophobia- the fear of not having your phone. Almost everyday I need to give them this reminder, but once I do, it tends not to be a problem. Although cell phones and other devices can become very problematic during class, they are also very helpful if you use them for the right educational purposes.”

Distractions are very common in daily life, but efforts need to be made to resist the temptation. In doing so, students can utilize their phones in fun, smart, and educational ways without disrupting their in-class learning or their time at night to do homework.