College students need to keep a consistent schedule of attending class, completing homework, and successfully preparing for exams. It is difficult for many students to find the time they need to study, and social networking websites like Facebook can be a seriously time-consuming distraction. It is important to learn to use social networks in a responsible manner. Studies have shown that spending too much time on Facebook can be detrimental to your grades, your relationships, and even your health and well-being.
Psychologist Ethan Kross, of the University of Michigan, conducted one such study in 2013, citing that the more someone uses Facebook, the less satisfied he is with life. Kross states, “On the surface, Facebook provides an invaluable resource for fulfilling the basic human need for social connection. But rather than enhance well-being, we found that Facebook use predicts the opposite result – it undermines it.”
When faced with a heavy class schedule, some people choose to stop visiting the site for a time, or even cancel their accounts while school is in session. If you decide to keep your Facebook page active, and want to continue using it to keep in touch with friends and family, there are tools available to help you use the site more efficiently. Some of these tools include limiting the number of games you play, managing your notifications, and organizing your friends into categories such as Close Friends and Family. You should take some time to review your account settings and categorize your friends list so you can follow your close friends and family without scrolling endlessly through your entire news feed.
In addition to scheduling recreational time outdoors and with friends or family, you can schedule the time that you spend on social networking sites.Schedule a particular time of day to catch up with posts and comments, and try to avoid the trap of “just checking it real quick” throughout the day. Set a timer when taking a break from work to play a game or two, and be sure to close the Facebook page when you return to work on your computer.
Social networking can be fun and informative, but it is important to spend your time wisely. If you put your studies first, you will improve yourself, giving you more to share with the world around you – both online and off.
