Let’s be honest, in this day and age, having an iPhone is pertinent. Whether you’re in high school, college or already settled into a career, there is an app that will make your life, schooling and career easier. Twenty years ago, if you needed to speak with someone you had to send a letter or (if you were lucky) you could call them up on your home phone. However, nowadays, we have the option to text, email, tweet, FaceTime, Kik and so much more. There is an app for almost anything—photo editing, networking, note-taking, studying, gaming, crafting, etc. However, with access to all of these apps and social media networks, it could be said that the more connected we get on our iPhones, the more disconnected we get with human interaction.
Don’t get me wrong, there are numerous reasons I absolutely love my iPhone. For example:
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, GroupMe, LinkedIn (there’s literally too many to count)
It’s no secret that we are an incredible social media dependent generation, and I am definitely guilty of this as well. As much as I hate to admit this, my day would not move forward without my social media apps. Especially as an advertisement major, social media sites are necessary to market yourself. And Pinterest and Instagram, well, they just open so many amazing doors to pretty crafting, new clothing trends, motivation to get fit and so much more!
Productivity & Studying: Quizlet, StudyBlue, Keynote, Word, Translate
I don’t know how college students managed 50 years ago. Without my 20 different productivity and studying apps, I would be lost. From studying flashcards on Quizlet to taking my notes on my iPad using Keynote, I use my iPhone/iPad daily for my homework and studying.
Navigation & Weather: MapQuest, Google Maps, The Weather Channel
I don’t know about anybody else, but my outfit choices are not made without first checking my weather app to make sure that I can wear a sundress and at 5 p.m. after psych recitation it isn’t down pouring. Because in Nebraska, you truly never know what might happen with the weather.
News: CNN, NYTimes, Journal Star
I like to keep myself educated (for the most part) about what is happening in the news so when I open up Facebook and things such as “the flat earth theory” pop up on my news feed, I’ll know that it isn’t real and it was just a washed up rapper’s fault.
Health & Fitness: FitStar Yoga, Sweat, Seven, C25K, Metabolism
My internal equilibrium would be so out of whack if it wasn’t thanks to my Yoga apps, and I would have gained the Freshman 15 times 20 if it weren’t for my fitness and workout apps.
Music: Pandora, Spotify, 8tracks, Shazam, SoundCloud
I am the kind of person that cannot study, workout, shower, get ready or anything without my jams on. I am motivated musically and without my music apps, I would get virtually nothing accomplished.
Entertainment: Netflix, iBooks
Where would Netflix and chill be without the Netflix app? I mean seriously, how would I suffer through History lecture without simultaneously watching "Gossip Girl?"
Now as much as I love my iPhone and how much more productive it makes me, being so “connected” can have it’s many burdens.
Disconnect
I don’t know how many times I’ve been out on a date with my boyfriend, and I find myself unconsciously checking Facebook or Instagram. Why do I have this urge to check what everybody else is up to, when I have a boyfriend and a plate full of food in front of me?
Wasted Time
You know that time that you were trying to study for your midterm, and opened up your social media of choices and an hour later your find yourself creeping on your ex-boyfriend’s sister’s best friend’s cousin’s boyfriend’s dog? Yeah, me too. Next thing you know, you’ve wasted precious studying time learning that the fad diet you’re on isn’t really working.
Lack of social skills
There was this one occasion where my boyfriend and I were out on a date, and there was a large family having dinner together at the table next to us. I looked over to find that the three young children sitting at the table were all completely absorbed in their iPads/iPhones, playing games and watching television. It is sad to think that a lot of people in my generation and generations to come will struggle to have basic social skills, because we have the access to hiding between a virtual curtain.
