Almost every student will own a smartphone which increases the temptation of checking your phone every two minutes. You find yourself asking: what happens if someone has text me? How many people have liked my recent Instagram picture? Or who has commented on my Facebook post?
Recent studies have shown that we are now known to spend more and more time looking at screens and less time interacting with our friends. Have you ever felt left out when seeing your friends posting photos of something that you’re not involved in? Well, you’re not alone. There’s even a syndrome for it – FOMO (Fear of missing out). It’s defined as ‘anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media’.
When it comes to uni work and revision your phone can be a massive distraction.
You should only go on your phone only as a reward. Do an hours’ worth of studying/revising/writing and reward yourself with five minutes on your phone. It’s a great way to focus on your work without the distractions, as well as giving yourself motivation to get some work done.
Studies have shown that looking at your phone an hour or two before you go to bed can restrain a hormone that helps you fall asleep. The artificial blue light on your phone stimulates your eyes and restrains melatonin production. The lack of this hormone makes it harder to fall asleep as well as stay asleep, as melatonin controls your sleep and awake cycle – so you need to make sure you’re staying off your phone for at least an hour before you go to bed.
Delete the apps off your phone. Even for a few hours. It will take away the easy access to everything social from your phone. You’ll then not need to go on your phone as much.
Try and limit yourself to an hour a day designated to social media. It will be hard but soon you won’t be obsessing over how many people have liked your posts but you’ll be in the moment in your life and find yourself concentrating more.
