Everyone knows about the screen time tracking feature in the settings app on your iPhone, but how have the statistics for that particular app changed since quarantine began? People have reported being on their phones much more out of pure boredom. Whether this is on social media platforms or on game apps, it seems that people waste a decent amount of time on certain apps on their phones. “Quarantine has dramatically increased my screen time. I mostly spend my time on FaceTime and talk to my friends, or I’m on Instagram,” said Jennifer Lee ’22. Lee shows that the increase in screen time can definitely be attributed to having more time, but it also has to do with the use of telecommunication since social distancing is inherently isolating. “I normally spend the most time on social media and video games, and I spend around 15 hours on my laptop a day,” said Jeffery Luo ’20. With all this time wasted to social media and games, it seems almost like there is no true concept of time within this period of self-isolation; everything is just a part of an endless night.

With all this wasted time, do people actually get around to studying for AP exams? Although I believe that everyone should study for their Advanced Placement exams for at least a select amount of time a day, it’ is still true that some people donot have the privilege of doing so in this time of stress and disorder. However, it is not necessarily good to study for long periods of time because information is more readily retained with short intervals of studying. “I usually study a few hours every day for my APs, but I’ll admit that I stray from that schedule sometimes,” said Lee ’22. Some others have admitted to not studying at all. “I’m winging it,” said Luo ’20 when he was asked about his upcoming AP exams.

I feel that quarantine comes with a certain level of demotivation. Many of us are introverted and do not need to be outside as much, but I still find that we all rely on social contact and the outside world to some extent because humans are social creatures. Some people have used the time to their advantage, but others have not really done anything. Others find that being at home has allowed them to do things they enjoy and push their assignments to the side. “Quarantine has allowed me to do things that I previously wanted to do, but didn’t have the time to. I cook more often, and I have actually picked up a few books. I’ve also used this time to listen to more music. However, I’m a lot more reluctant to do schoolwork despite the extra time,” said Amayel Ka ’22. 

“Quarantine has dramatically increased my screen time. I mostly spend my time on FaceTime and talk to my friends, or I’m on Instagram,” said Jennifer Lee ’22.