Odds are, you are likely scrolling mindlessly through Facebook and came across this article. You probably read the title and thought, "Wow, whoever wrote this must be a parent who knows nothing about technology or social media."

I'm a real college student, and I'm here to prove you wrong.

I myself am highly involved with social media, as many other teens and young adults are. Checking Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and VSCO are a part of my daily routine. Many would argue that this behavior is normal of a college student and would stop reading this article right now. However, I challenge you to stop, listen, and reflect upon the real reason why we need to put down our phones.

Adults will argue that our generation is addicted to our technology. While this may or may not be true, we are often criticized and told to simply get off the phone. But why? I usually rebut saying that my social skills are just fine and that I can hold a conversation with anyone I come across. Others may say that our parents can be just as attached to technology as we are, so they can't possibly try to propose a hypocritical argument. But after completing my first year of college, I've become enlightened as to why it is vital to break my attachment to my cell phone.

Being away from my family and friends for the first time in my life made me appreciate the moments I spend at home so much more. The details that were once "little things" throughout my childhood are few and far between now that I'm starting my journey as a college student. Chatting with my mom on the way to dance, waving to my neighbors each morning, and roaming the high school hallways with my friends were all small moments that I've taken for granted. I don't get to experience these moments as often anymore. High school was the greatest four years of my life so far, but I am still guilty of being ignorant of everything going on in front of me due to my choosing social media first. If I was able to turn back time, I would tell my teenage self to be fully present in each of these instances.

This lesson was presented two-fold once I was on campus starting my life as a college student. I was beyond lucky to have found the most amazing friends who have become a family to me in such a short amount of time. However, I was so caught up in documenting my every move via Snapchat and taking the perfect Instagram photo every Saturday night that I was never fully engaged in the most blissful moments of my freshman year. While I am a firm believer in documenting the memories I make, I quickly realized that my favorite memories were even greater than what the photos portray. I missed out on the depth of some of the funniest experiences with my friends because I was too involved with the world of social media.

Based on my experience, I've come to the realization that I do not need to put down the phone out of respect for our parent's generation. I do not need to get rid of our social media because it is detrimental to my social skills. What we must do is distance ourselves from our technology so that we do not miss out on our life experiences. Personally, I am not going to eliminate social media from my life forever because I like being connected with the people I care about and documenting my memories. However, I will create space to allow myself to experience life as it appears in front of me, rather than behind the lens of my iPhone camera. We are only given one shot at this life, so it is important to experience everything, be present, and live free of regrets. I hope that years from now, I can reminisce and know that I've truly and honestly lived my life to the absolute fullest.