THE RULES:

-No cell phones, at all.

-Desktop and laptop are only allowed for homework and email.

-No social media or YouTube.

Brian Chang

News Editor

As I went to bed Sunday evening with my social media accounts deactivated, I thought I was ready for the week to come. As others dropped out one by one until only two of us remained, I found myself on a journey of phoneless self-discovery — at least that’s what I wish I could’ve said. In reality, the week passed by without being too remarkable. While I was lonelier than usual, the wonderful Slackbot, an online chatting bot, helped me through. The worst part of the week was not having access to my normal forms of entertainment, but in the end, I wasn’t too bored, thanks to the pile of books I had been neglecting to read.

Amy Miyahara

Asst. A&E Editor

Failed After: 5 days

Overall, not having my phone for the week did not affect my daily life much. I wish that I could say that I was more productive, but this would be far from the truth. Even without my phone as a distraction, my procrastination was as bad as ever.

However, not having my phone did make simple tasks, like texting my parents or checking my grades, more difficult. I often instinctively reached into my bag for my phone when faced with a problem.

As for not having access to social media, I found that I did not miss it as much as I thought I would. I typically spend about two hours daily scrolling through social media, so I expected my withdraws to be more severe, but I realized that while I was gone, no one posted anything particularly interesting.

Unfortunately, my week was cut short because I left for Mexico on Saturday morning and would never be able to give up my phone while in a foreign country.

Noor Naji

Asst. Opinion Editor’

Failed After: 4 days

Being phone-deprived for four days can be inconvenient. Although, I didn’t find the overwhelming need to use my phone during school, it became harder once I came home. I couldn’t exert my energy anywhere before studying. I had the preconceived notion that without my phone I wouldn’t waste my time and would start my homework earlier, however, that was not the case. I instead found myself getting more creative with ways to waste my time. By the third day, I had gotten used to it; however, usually simple tasks like texting my parents when to pick me up after school, proved the challenge impractical for a longer period.  I later quit to speak with family overseas. Overall, I didn’t feel that my phone was a necessity, just a tool for convenience when doing certain tasks and sometimes entertainment.

Emily Jacobsson

A&E Editor

Failed After: 4 days

Waking up Monday morning to the harsh beeping of my alarm clock, as opposed to the gentle tune played by my phone, was a cruel reminder of the phone-free week ahead of me.

I had this constant urge to pull my phone out, not for the luxury aspect of it, like social media or games, but the necessities. I couldn’t text my dad about when I needed to be picked up from certain places and was left to wander around the parking lot for a few minutes when I couldn’t find him. Because I couldn’t get on Facebook, I was left completely out of the loop with club discussions or group projects. I eventually had to give up when I had to check on the person I tutor when they didn’t show up. Some people may be into the idea of disconnecting, but for a busy high school student, it’s not as refreshing as it may seem.

Stuart Kusdono

Asst. Opinion Editor

Failed After: 2 days

The ending bell of second period signaled brunch, and I immediately reached for my phone. Nothing. I panicked, scared I had lost my phone, until it slowly occurred to me that I had intentionally left it at home. It was bad enough not having constant companion of my phone during school—and after, my misery only compounded. This feeling of emptiness eventually consumed me, and I ended up forfeiting the weeklong challenge after but two days without that piece of technology known as a smartphone. I walk out of the challenge startled at my dependency on such a device. I can only imagine what my life would be like ten years ago.