From the Editor’s Desk: It’s Time We Close Our Laptops in Lectures

I’ve learned a lot in the seven semesters I’ve completed here at Loyola. But of all the ill-advised things I did as a first-year, the one I regret the most is spending valuable class time focused on my laptop screen. 

In my case this mostly took the form of browsing the news, answering emails and writing articles for The Phoenix. Perhaps these aren’t the worst attention-stealing activities one could partake in, but what’s for sure is my attention wasn’t being paid in full to the classes going on outside my screen.

At the beginning of my second year I resolved to keep my laptop nestled away in my backpack during lectures. Immediately I felt a difference. Relegated to just a spiral notebook and pen, I was more engaged in lectures than I’d ever been before. What’s more, I found studying for exams to be easier as much of the information was already lodged in my brain. 

I’m sure by now multiple professors have made the point that writing notes by hand is better for memory and learning, and I’m sure you’re rolling your eyes right now at hearing it again. It may be trite, but it’s true.

Don’t just take it from me, listen to the experts. 2024 research by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found when taking notes by hand students have to actively pay attention to the incoming information and process it — prioritize it, consolidate it and try to relate it to things they’ve learned before, according to Scientific American. This can make it easier to stay engaged and grasp new concepts, 

Setting aside the educational benefits, frankly it’s a little absurd how we allow ourselves to be distracted from the information we’re paying thousands and thousands of dollars to learn. Every hour of class at Loyola costs around $480, according to the Bursar’s Office. I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine paying $480 to play 2048.

Cycling between social media and online shopping isn’t just a distraction for you — it’s a distraction for those around you. Few things are more frustrating than being taken out of a lecture by an attention-stealing screen from the row in front of me. 

I don’t mean to be castigating or holier than thou, but since we’ve come this far I must also say — it’s just plain disrespectful to ignore your professors. Professors work hard to ensure their lectures are both engaging and informative. They’ve dedicated their lives to teaching, despite students’ often lukewarm responses to the notion of learning. 

Because I decided to close my laptop, not only have I been able to fill up a stack of notebooks I’ll be able to keep and reference as I enter professional life, but I also think I’ve gotten the most out of my Loyola education. 

As some of us find ourselves reassessing our relationship with digital technology, the perfect place to start may just by setting our laptops aside. When those inevitable lapses in focus arise, I’d recommend looking out the window for a moment.