With a full week of school in swing due to the new cell phone policy, many people have found ways to keep themselves sane, behaved, and, most importantly, off their phones. It comes down to the science of what you need to have in your school bag. Some people need something they can have out at all times to keep their minds busy, while others just need something to do for the remainder of the class period once they have finished all of their work.
Although the phone policy can be tedious and rather annoying sometimes, many students have been able to find new hobbies and activities they find themselves enjoying. Surely Pinterest has seen it all, if you get bored, a great way to spend some of your time outside of school is to create a “when phones are away” board.
According to Common Sense Media, 50% of teenagers ‘feel addicted’ to their phones and 59% of their parents agreed that their children are addicted.
According to Lightspeed Systems students without access to their phones during academic settings perform 13-20% better in classroom settings and exams. 74% of educators have integrated smartphone apps into their lesson plans. It has become a habit between learning to pick up phones and checking social media. Here are the best ways to stay off your phone to help make your days more productive and fun-filled.
Bringing back old times.
Reading, doodling, coloring, or sketching have been the latest things filling LHS’s classrooms in between passing periods.
With the new phone policy being in full swing it is almost like we remember all of the literal pen-and-paper activities that used to be trending in school buildings before phones started taking over all of our mental state.
From seeing game boys in the hallway, people bringing decks of cards, or even your Advanced Placements classes bonding at the end of class playing a very competitive game of Jenga.
The visual arts are becoming more popular.
There is no doubt that LHS is known for its visual and performing arts. Sometimes we need to just be able to keep our eyes and hands busy but aim not to bring a huge distraction to the classroom. This is a perfect habit that can take place throughout classes without causing any disturbance to your class or peers, unless your pencil box unlocks when it falls on the floor, leaving all of your peers staring at you.
The Chamber Choir members spend time showcasing their artistic abilities in between learning their parts. Senior Vanessa McDonald has often been taking advantage of Choir Director Danielle Loschavio’s tabletop corner in the side of her classroom.
From coloring to doodling, to sketching to creating amazing art. All of these strong talents are just now increasing in classes. One thing that has been seen with the new phone policy we have seen more artistic freedoms and more new artists officially crack out of their shells.
Goodreads scores have just increased.
My personal goal would have to be reading. As someone who is addicted to constantly checking and updating the Goodreads app, I always think that reading is the right option. There are so many stories and authors to explore in this world. Yet, even sometimes I feel like some of the time I could have spent reading during the day gets obtained by my cellular device, luckily due to the new restrictions, I get a better chance to read more. Watching my Goodreads yearly book challenge increase by the day.
I personally would encourage anyone who has just recently decided reading was a good hobby for them to download this app. You can meet so many people and it is an amazing way to see what other books you could read the moment you finish your last.
Senior Reya Rivera has got it all in her backpack, from the latest trending color book to hit the shelves in Walmart and the latest books on TikTok. Whatever the latest thing to have in your bag due to this new procedure, Rivera has got it all.
Since the procedure has been set in place, Rivera has been caught reading The Cinnamon Bun Cafe by Laurie Gilmore and is currently getting her heart torn into a million pieces, by the latest addition to the Hunger Games, Sunrise of the Reaping by Suzane Collins. Both of these authors have written series and are great ones to get you flying through books without having to worry about what comes next.
Be wise. Stay off it.
Don’t be sneaky, just stay off the phone. There are so many ideas and hobbies that have been brought to classrooms’ attention as ways to keep you occupied. If you haven’t found one yet, make your own.
