It was syllabus week when I found out that three out of four of my professors requested that we not use our laptops and cell phones during class. Now, the cell phone part I could understand, seeing as in previous semesters I was notorious for getting lost in Buzzfeed articles for the full two-hour class period. However, when it came to no laptops, my first thought was, "how can I be an English major without my laptop attached to me at all times?"
As the semester progresses onward, I've started to realize that unplugging myself from the outside world when I'm in class has proven beneficial to me in ways that I'd never imagined.
1. I've started to pay attention.
I've always paid attention in class, don't get me wrong, but somehow my awareness of the discussion around me has increased. I'm more apt to listen to my peers' comments and contributions to the classroom conversation. I never realized how important those voices are to my understanding of the material until just recently.
2. I've started to do my assigned readings.
Old Me: "I'll just look this reading up on Sparknotes before class since I don't feel like it right now."
New Me: "I'm going to look like an idiot if I don't know what I'm talking about in class tomorrow."
For the first time, I've actually done most, if not all, of my nightly reading assignments. There's no longer a laptop to hide behind or use to Google something when I don't know the answer, I actually have to be accountable for my readings and the strong possibility of being randomly called on to discuss a portion of the reading.
3. I've become an active participant.
Much like my last point, I've noticed that I am beginning to participate in class more. I've always been one to answer questions in class but had always felt insecure about the knowledge behind my answer. Now, I'm eager to show that I actually understand the material because I've had experience with it.
4. I've been able to step away from the "outside world."
You'd be surprised by how beneficial two or more hours away from social media can do for your sanity. Though most of my professors grant us a break at the halfway point of class to make sure that the world still exists, I don't find myself using this time to eagerly scroll through one of several social media feeds. Instead, I'll fire off a quick text to a friend or coworker, check an email or just give my brain a few minutes to recuperate.
5. I've started to think like an educator.
I've always liked to joke about how I'd never understand how educators are able to pull apart literature to find deeper meaning in just a few lines of text. However, somehow, I've realized that my first two years of post-secondary education is finally starting to pay off because I'm finally able to understand literature (hallelujah).
I don't expect everyone to go out and unplug themselves from their lecture as a result of this article, however, I really recommend giving it a try. Bury your phone and your laptop in your backpack for a couple of hours and use a standard notebook and pen to take notes instead. Whether this attempt lasts a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days, the results of unplugging yourself will be obvious, so give it a try!
