{shortcode-9413817036289d833007e85a0cec795ffcb10187} If I’ve learned one thing from my time at Harvard, it’s that I am but a humble servant to my Apple ecosystem. My iPhone, MacBook, iPad, and AirPods are my life support devices: If one dies, I die. Recently, for the sake of my mental health, I had to turn off the weekly screen time notification. (Ignorance is bliss. Denial is the cure to everything.) If your weekly screen time is a source of shame (or smugness), don’t worry — you’re not alone. Here’s what your screen time says about you and what you do on campus.
0-2 hours per day.
Honestly, this is crazy impressive. I’m not sure what you’re studying, but you definitely get a pat on the back from your eye doctor. I’m picturing the Folklore and Mythology or Hum 10 kid with a Moleskine notebook and an actual, physical book (crazy) weighing down their backpack instead of a computer.
3-6 hours per day.
Totally respectable. You already hit two and a half hours from classes alone if you take notes on your computer for two or more classes. If you’ve managed to plan your schedule so that you only have an additional three to four hours of work per day, I applaud you. This could also mean that your computer is only used for work — no texting, watching shows, or online shopping. Either you’ve achieved the true work-life balance we all crave, or you secretly use your iPad for all your scrolling.
6-10 hours a day (I’m looking at you, CS kids).
These are the people you see with blue light glasses on (someone, please let me know if they actually work), much needed after staring at a screen all day. Their life exists on their computer, ranging from class notes to psets to Stack Overflow. This could also mean that you’re taking an excruciating class that makes you LaTeX every pset (might be speaking from personal experience). Honestly, if you’re spending this much time on your computer, maybe we should applaud you for not participating in endless social media (doom)scrolling… or maybe you’re spending all that time logged into Instagram on your Mac. I guess we’ll never know.
Anything more than this… I’m worried for you.
Spending more than 10 hours a day on your computer either means you’re taking insane classes or that your ability to focus on a single task is questionable (real, though). I would tell you that you need to touch grass, but we both know that’s not happening. Maybe try taking a walk or reading a book? I don’t know, dude, maybe your situation is too dire to bounce back from.
While your peaceful Sunday morning might be ruined by a screen time notification, you’re not alone! We’ve been conditioned to spend every waking moment tethered to a device. All those wellness influencers who make “8 a.m. productive morning!” videos and preach the importance of not going on your phone right away have never felt the joy of waking up to Canvas notifications with new assignments or grades released. Pure bliss.