Put First Things First- Part 3

 Hello friends! Remember the pre-digital era, when modern technological advancement was unheard of. Even having a landline phone was considered a luxury, let alone owning a vehicle (even a two-wheeler, for that matter). Yes, at the time we had no distractions as such.

In today's digital age, social media platforms are ubiquitous, offering students a plethora of distractions that can potentially interfere with their academic performance.

This is the biggest worry of each parent & a child himself who find it hard to refrain from engaging on social media platforms.

Worry not once you refer covey’s “The 7 habits of highly effective people” & implement habit 3 “Put First Things First” you will understand how students can manage their social media usage to prioritize their studies effectively.

Imagine a scenario where in a group of 10^th grade students preparing for their final exams. Among them is Jhanvi, a diligent student who values her academic success. However, like many of her peers, Jhanvi finds herself spending excessive time on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. She often loses track of time scrolling through feeds, watching videos.

Despite her intentions to focus on her studies, Jhanvi's habit of checking social media frequently becomes a significant distraction. She notices that her grades are slipping, and she's struggling to keep up with the assignments & exams.

Recognizing the importance of prioritizing her studies over social media, Jhanvi decides to implement the principle of "first things first" to regain control of her academic performance.

She took following steps to achieve this:

1.       Self- Awareness: Jhanvi acknowledges that her excessive social media usage is hindering her academic progress.

2.       Setting Boundaries: Jhanvi sets clear boundaries for her social media usage. She allocates specific times during the day, such as during breaks or after completing her homework, to check her social media accounts.

3.       Utilizing productivity tools: Jhanvi explores productivity tools and techniques to help her stay focused while studying. She utilizes website blockers or apps that limit her access to social media during study.

4.       Seeking support: Jhanvi seeks support from her peers, family, or teachers to hold herself accountable for her study habits.

 

Outcome: By implementing the "first things first" principle and taking proactive steps to manage her social media usage, Jhanvi experiences a positive transformation in her academic performance. She finds that she's able to concentrate better during study sessions, complete assignments more efficiently, and prepare effectively for exams.

I hope you understood how habits over the time become our way of life, so it is important to practice them mindfully.