Term Paper: Personal Media Usage

 

                                                                            Waking up 

Every Morning I wake up to the same phone alarm. Whether it's 6:30, 7:00, 8:30, or 9:00, I am going to hear the same default alarm that I set through the alarm app. 

After pressing snooze a few times, I pick up my phone and get on TikTok for a few minutes to help wake myself up. I also text my mom and tell her Goodmorning, she is up just as early as I am because she is a teacher. 

Once I'm fully awake I will reach over to my bedside table and grab my Air Pods, I stick them in my ears and shuffle one of my playlists to listen to while I get ready for class. 

                                                                        The School Day 

Now that I am fully ready for class I grab my phone, backpack, and laptop and head to the car. Once I am in the car, I hook up my phone to the radio so I can listen to more of my music. 

After I park at Reynolds parking lot, I grab my phone off the aux cord and begin my walk to class. Once I cross the crosswalks, I get on TikTok and watch a few videos while I walk to class. 

Once I am in class I will get on Instagram or Snapchat and see what my friends are up to before the teacher walks in. Once the teacher walks in I put my phone away and do not get back on it until class is over. 

                                                                               After class

After class I head to the cafe and eat with my friends, during this time we put our phones down and visit with each other, so I am not usually on my phone at this point. 

After lunch, I go and knock out a few study hours, when I am studying and doing work, I will pop in my AirPods so I can listen to music and help myself lock-in. Even though I try to focus on my schoolwork, I will end up getting on Instagram or TikTok a few times during the study session.

Once I knock out a few study hours I head back to my dorm and take a quick power nap before practice, if my roommate is awake/being loud during this time, I will put my AirPods back in and listen to music or turn on noise cancellation to take my nap. 

My alarm to wake up from my nap goes off at 4:00 so I can wake up, fix my hair, and get ready for practice. during this process, I will be on Snapchat, TikTok, or a phone call with my mom. 

During practice, I stay off my phone except for the occasional Snapchat check during a quick water break. 

                                                                         After Practice 

After Practice I head to the cafe with some of my teammates, once again we all set our phones down and debrief practice or just visit with each other. 

After dinner I head to take a shower and put on my comfortable clothes, during this process I will turn on my music and shuffle a playlist. 

Once I am ready for bed I will sit with my friends and knock out some homework, during this we usually turn on Zach Byran and try not to break each other's concentration. 

After homework, I either hang out with some of my friends or head to bed. When I'm hanging out with my friends I will still get on my phone and watch a few TikTok's or open a few snaps.  

When I get in bed I never just go straight to sleep, this is a time when I can scroll through TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, and help myself wind down.

Once I feel my melatonin kick in, I set my phone alarm for the next morning and set my phone on the bedside table. 

                               

Throughout the day I am aware that I use quite a bit of media. But even though I always have my phone on me at all times, I try to take media breaks so I can avoid being glued to my phone. When I get on my phone and look at TikTok, listen to music, or scroll through Instagram, it is a way for me take my mind off of school and destress.