Term Paper #1: Personal Media Usage
Waking Up
Every morning, I wake up to an alarm on my phone. Whether it's 7:30, 8:30, or 10:00, I hear the same alarm that I set on the Clock app each night before I go to bed.
After pressing snooze at least once, I roll over and pick up my phone to check my notifications. I usually have several Snapchats from friends, so I will open them and answer them all for about 5 minutes. After that, I scroll on TikTok for around 10 minutes. I will send videos that I think are funny to my friends. I will also check my Bible app to see what the verse of the day is.
When I am fully awake, I get out of my bed and turn on my TV. I usually go to Disney+ and turn on Glee. I have watched the entire series through, so I always turn it on when I'm getting ready. It serves as my background noise while I get up and get going. I try to stay off my phone while I am getting ready so that I do not get behind. Even though I try, I usually end up getting distracted and looking at Instagram.
School Day
When I am completely ready for class, I walk downstairs, get into my car, and connect my phone to Apple CarPlay. I usually hit shuffle on my country or worship playlist to listen to while I drive. My favorite song right now is "Never Gets Old," by Red Rocks Worship. I have been playing it in my car the last few mornings on my way to class.
After I park in front of Overstreet, I turn off my car, grab my phone, and walk to class. I usually answer more Snapchats and check GroupMe to see if my coach has sent out a message about practice for the day. This happens several times because I often get paranoid that I will miss the text and then miss practice.
Once in class, I usually check Instagram and Facebook to see what my friends and family are up to for about 15 minutes. If I get there early, I watch TikTok until class starts. When the professor walks in, I put my phone down and try to lock in and listen. Even though I try, I usually end up picking up my phone and checking to see what notifications I get.
After Class
After class, I usually hop on Grub Hub and order Chick-fil-a. My phone reconnects when I get into my car, and I listen to more music on my drive to Bruce Center. When I am there, I hit the "I'm Here" button on Grub Hub and park my car. I walk up the stairs into the building, usually looking at TikTok, get my food, and go back to my car. My phone will automatically connect again and my playlist will continue to shuffle.
After lunch, I go back to my apartment and do my homework assignments. When I am studying or doing homework, I try and stay off of my phone. I usually listen to music, sometimes a study playlist, so that I can stay focused. Even though I try and stay off my phone, I often get distracted and end up texting a friend or looking at Instagram or TikTok.
After that, I lay in my bed and rest for a little bit before softball practice. I usually turn the TV back on and play something as background noise so I can fall asleep. I set an alarm so that if I fall asleep, I will wake up in time for softball practice.
My alarm to wake up usually goes off around 2:00, and I get out of bed and get ready for practice. I usually call my mom and talk to her for 20 minutes while I am getting my things together and getting ready.
During practice, I am very busy so I am not on my phone. I will usually check it for around 5-10 minutes before we head down to weights. This usually involves me answering texts from my mom or Snapchatting my friends back.
After Practice
After practice, I had back to my apartment to eat dinner. My roommate loves to cook, so she usually gets started on that when we get back. I usually go to my room, put all my stuff down for the day, and take a shower. While doing that, I usually listen to music. I try not to turn it up too loud so that I do not disturb my roommates.
When I'm done, I go back in my room and watch TikTok while I'm getting ready for 10-15 minutes. After I'm ready, I go and sit in our living room and watch whatever they already have turned on the TV. It's usually a random movie or Dance Moms. When dinner is ready, we all sit together in the living room and watch whatever is on and talk about our day. I will usually be on Snapchat or TikTok at this time as well.
After that, I try and knock out any other homework I have and get ready to head to bed. I usually try and answer any texts I have, answer Snapchats, and look at what TikTok's I have been sent over the course of the day.
When I get in bed, I never go straight to sleep. I will try and go to bed at a decent time, but always end up "doom scrolling" until I am extremely tired. This usually involves being on Instagram or TikTok. I then set my alarm for the next morning, make sure my phone isn't on silent, and put my phone on Do Not Disturb. I place it on my charger and go to sleep.
Overall
Throughout the day, I am very aware that I use lots of media. Even thought I always have my phone with me throughout the day, I try to take breaks so that I do not feel like I am glued to my phone. When I am on my phone, I use it as a way to unwind, destress, and settle down.
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