Digital Well-being
Unplug
At Virginia Tech, we want our students to experience digital flourishing. Digital well-being occurs on a spectrum and flourishing is when we use our devices in a way that maximizes the positives and minimizes the negatives. In other words, we are benefiting from all the great things that technology has to offer. Devices supplement and add to our lives but do not take away from us reaching our full potential.
The Digital Wellness Institute has developed a tool to help people understand the 8 dimensions of digital well-being and assess a person's individual device use strengths and areas of improvement.
Get Started
- Discover personal areas of digital flourishing and challenges – take the Digital Flourishing survey!
- Find Alternatives to scrolling and commit to doing them.
Weekly Well-being Challenges
Challenge 8: October 13-19
Unwind Offline: Make your evenings something to look forward to - list 5 things you can do instead of scrolling and try them this week.
Have something to look forward to at the end of your day, instead of resorting to your phone. Here are some ideas to get you started: try going stargazing (Blacksburg is great for stargazing), doing yoga, going for a walk, baking, taking a long shower, having a game night, joining intramurals (most games are at night), reading a book, etc.
Think about how much time you spend on non-school related technology in the evenings, and brainstorm replacements. It’s a good idea to think about why you are going to your favorite apps and games. Are you looking to relax, connect, distract? When making your list, try to come up with ideas that connect to what you are seeking.
Tips for Meaningful Engagement in Student Organizations & Campus Life
- Put yourself out there for new connections: Talk to the people tabling for student organizations by the library, ask a professor about what organizations they recommend for your major, reach out to people on your residence hall floor about attending an event together.
- Be intentional about reflecting on what your values are & identify groups where those values are shared and affirmed: Prioritize activities like journaling or processing with a friend to understand if your current organization memberships are in alignment with the person you’re working to become during your time at college.
- Take advantage of opportunities to go deeper that help you build new skills or strengthen existing talents: Keep your ears open for opportunities to join a planning committee, volunteer at an event, or to manage the finances for your group. These are great ways to gain experiences you can talk about in an interview, beyond just listing an organization membership on your resume.
- Know when to take things off your plate: If you no longer feel passionate about an activity or notice you’re not able to commit the time and energy to an organization, it’s okay to decide something isn’t for you. Many organizations offer flexible levels of commitment, just be communicative about your plans to take a step back.
- Be present and have fun with others: To get the most out of your chosen involvement opportunities, commit to being fully present during meetings, events, and activities. Take the time to get to know people without your phone and laptop distractions & enjoy shared activities like discussion circles or intramural sports.
- Upcoming Events - GobblerConnect
- Goodreads - Meet your next favorite book
- Intramural Sports - Recreational Sports
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