I Examen 1

Nigel Hunter

EN 101.16

9/26/13

               Last Friday my first ever smartphone came in the mail. The previous phone I had for over five years was old and outdated so getting an iPhone for the first time was an exciting experience. All day Friday I played with all the new aps on my phone, texting, and sometimes not even doing anything particular on it, but still using it anyways. I was completely out of touch with reality and had very minimal human interaction. The few interactions I did have, I found myself still on my new phone while trying to listen to the person speaking to me at the same time. It got so bad to the point where I almost got hit by a car walking home from class!

               I figured that doing this experiment would be most effective the day after I got my new IPhone which is why I chose Saturday afternoon. As my IPhone was away I found myself sub consciously putting my hands in my pocket to pull it out, only to remember that it wasn’t there. My interaction with my roommates increased as I suggested that we pass the time by going out to eat. At the diner however my roommates were mostly on their phones which I found very rude and annoying considering that I didn’t have mine or anyone to talk to. Through text message I would have perhaps told them how frustrated I was and how rude they were being, however in person I was not willing to confront them. By the time we got back to the room the hour was up and I went back to the way I was previously behaving. I rushed to my phone to check all the messages that I had missed (I had none).

               What I learned from this assignment was that I pay a lot more attention to my surroundings when I am not using technology. I also got a chance to see what I look like from other peoples perspectives when I am on my phone constantly. My craving for human interaction increased as well as my anticipation to return to my phone. I can see how this is in fact harmful and hope that the more I use my new iPhone the more the excitement of it will fizzle out and the less I will use it as frequently in the long run.

Zach Martin iExamen #1

Zach Martin

Professor Ellis

EN 101

9/26/13

iExamen1: Introspection

     

Originally I had planned to do my Examen this past Sunday; however I got carried away with NFL football and lost my focus. I decided my Examen might be better spent and have more meaning if I pushed it back to Monday. I have done a few of examens at my Jesuit high school with minimal results. In those past examens, my fellow classmates and I were forced to sit in silence and self-reflection for the duration of a 45 minute class while our teacher read biblical excerpts to us.With this past history, I have to admit, I wasn’t very happy to hear that we were assigned an Examen in English 101.

Getting up any Monday morning is always a struggle, but this particular Monday was even more of a fight because I knew of the Examen to come. Normally after getting up and showering, I would normally pour myself a bowl of cereal and watch Sportscenter. However, instead I decided to join my roommate at the kitchen table for breakfast. We ended up having a lengthy discussion/argument about where to study abroad that never would have happened if we were glued to the TV watching ESPN.

During the day as I paid more attention to how I interacted with people, I noticed that I mostly communicate with humor and also a little bit of sarcasm. I can see how sometimes people might misinterpret my humor if we’re not talking face-to-face. One funny moment was when my roommate Pat and I spent about five minutes doing humorous impersonations of our accounting professor who has a funny southern accent. Another thing that I noticed is that I have a distinct memory of what type of shoe people wear. In some cases I might not even know a person’s name but I can recognize them by their shoes. I am a “shoe person” and enjoy the fashion of shoes and collecting them.  I tend to try to read into people just by looking at the shoes that they are wearing. These were two interesting things that I picked up on during the day.

For the one hour that I was to spend without electronics, I did a little reading for pleasure. I flipped to my bookmark in The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson, and read away. This past summer, I travelled to Puerto Rico with my family, which is where this book takes place. Because of this, it’s easy for me to slip away into the Caribbean world that Thompson portrays, and I found this relaxing. After this time with my book and without my phone or laptop, I found myself in a sort of low key mood and didn’t have the urge to check Twitter and Instagram every thirty seconds. Also, I found myself more willing to just relax with my roommates rather than feel the need to always be doing something. This detachment from electronics was, to my surprise, one of the better parts of my day.

Overall, I actually really enjoyed this Examen. Thankfully it was a lot different from the type I used to do in high school and I feel that I got a lot out of it. It was interesting to see how I interacted with people, and I actually realized a lot about myself. After doing this, I will try to make it a point to talk with people face-to-face rather than by text or email.

iExamen

Elizabeth Milonas

Dr. Ellis

Understanding Literature 101.16

25 September 2013

Various Interactions

            I woke up on Monday September 23^rd to the sound of the annoying “BEEEP… BEEEP… BEEEP…” from my alarm clock and my eyes could barely open. After about 10 minutes of contemplating in my head about how comfortable my bed was and how cold it was outside, I knew I had to get moving or else I would be late to class.

            As I walked to my philosophy class with my roommate, we both talked as we walked. While we walked, we both sort of knew to speed walk to class or else we’d be late, even though we never mentioned it directly to one another. In addition, we talked without looking directly at each other. It was interesting to see how comfortable we were because we understood and communicated well without the typical “face-to-face” conversation.

            During each class, I attempted to make eye contact with every professor so that he/she understood that I was actually trying to understand what they were teaching us that day. (And not just dozing off like some of my classmates seemed to be.)

            I decided that when my friends and I went to Boulder for dinner that night I would stop and turn off my cell phone and not use any other electronics for the next hour. In the first 4 minutes of putting my phone away, my brother called me asking about how to use a coupon because he was online shopping. So then, I had to start my hour over. My roommates Kellianne and Julia decided that it would be up to them to make sure I completed this assignment fairly… hence, they took away and hid my phone.

            I was so used to having my phone constantly in front of my face—which honestly I hadn’t even noticed I did all that much—that I began to feel lost without it! Furthermore, as we ate dinner, we all refrained from using our phones and to be honest, it created a more intimate bonding experience. There is a void that electronics give to you, and it doesn’t permit you to thoroughly engage with your friends.

            I looked around the dining hall and noticed all the people sitting. I spotted my friends and I observed the new workers at Boulder and how nice they are. Loyola isn’t as big of a school, which caused me to wonder that if we had all stopped using electronics if we could possibly start to remember more faces around campus and build a stronger community.

            After my hour of no electronics was over, I was able to turn on my laptop and my phone, but that also meant I turned off my ability to notice some specific details that happen everyday. Completing the iExamen was a very interesting experience. I was able to notice things about myself that I hadn’t particularly spotted. Being continually social and active every day is incredibly important, especially when electronics aren’t constantly in your face.

iExamen 1

Matthew Smith

English101

Professor Ellis

September 25^th, 2013

A Day In The Life

            Going into this assignment and being asked to participate in self-observation was not something that was particularly unusual to me.  In fact, I already have to perform these sorts of self-evaluations twice a week for my management class.  In class we discuss topics such as how we act toward to elderly, deal with procrastination, and even try to define the things we value most.  While this is all very helpful I was excited at the idea of examining every interaction I do throughout a school day, in particular today, Wednesday the 25^th of September.  Not just one type of interaction too, but all types, from talking face-to-face, to texting, to the simple body language we all sometimes use to communicate.  Understanding how we communicate can help us become even more aware of what kind of person we are. 

            First of course comes the early morning communication I had with my roommates, all up earlier than we would choose to be if was our decision.  My body language is sluggish and words are scarce, as we all go through our morning routines to prepare for the day.  I am clearly not a morning person.  Today in particular I decided to wear a hat to class, an abnormality for me, but I did not want everyone to see what a mess my morning hair was.  They would not realize I didn’t shower as is usual before History because I had plans for the gym directly after.  Even if there is no one I know in class I suppose I still wanted to appear as if I was ready for my day.  I believe that part of how I feel comes with how I look, if I look ready and prepared for class then I feel ready and prepared.  On my walk to class most of the communications I have are through body language, a simple head nod or wave is sufficient in place of any sort of real conversation, as everyone is headed to one place or the other.  One thing I notice is the amount of girls calling someone on their cellphones as they walk home, as if they need to be talking with someone at all times.  For me though, I enjoy my quiet walk to class with time to reflect and plan my day, being perfectly happy alone.  This trend continues at the gym, another place I realize that keeping to myself is preferable.  With my headphone in and music blasting I go throughout my workout routine with no distraction, looking around I see almost every other guy has his music on as well, and communication is limited. 

            In today’s world a huge amount of our communication is not personal, but done with the use of texting and media devices like Facebook.  By just walking across campus you see almost everyone looking down at their phones as they walk, like their little portals to the entire world.  While I use my phone everyday, from texting the girlfriend to checking the Sunday Night Football score, I would not say I am “addicted” to it.  During my hour from being unplugged from my phone the only thing I found myself wondering was if someone had something important to tell me that I wasn’t answering, shockingly they didn’t.  As my roommates and I sat around the TV, them all on their phone, I wondered what conversations they were taking part in that they weren’t sharing with those around them.  I decided to investigate further and find out what they were doing, and this actually sparked some conversation.  While I love technology and everything it opens up to us I realized there is no replacement for the fast tempo, quick whited conversations you can have with your friends all sitting around together. 

            In the end, I learned quite a bit from this exercise of observation.  Normally I find myself observing others and wondering what exactly they are doing, it was interesting to actually go through a day and ask that question about myself.  Although it was only for a day I realized what kind of communications are most important to me, and which are not.  Constant communication with others I learned is not something I need, being content with periods of time to myself.  Then there are the subtle ways that I communicate by use of body language and gestures, some of which I wasn’t aware of until today.  I would recommend to anyone to try this examination of their selves for a day and to see what they take from it, maybe it’ll be the same, but most likely a whole new experience.  

A Day in the Life of Kylie

A Day in the Life of Kylie

        The completion of the iExamen provided an insight into the way we as a population here at Loyola communicate. While I whole-heartedly believe that as a community we are an enthusiastic and optimistic society, this self-analysis for Wednesday September 25, 2013 proved otherwise. The overlying tone throughout the day was grave.  

        The day started when my alarm went off at 8:00 am, I hit snooze in a sluggish manner and snuck in another fifteen minutes of sleep. Begrudgingly, I got up and my roommate laughed to how disheveled I looked. It may be important to note here how I am not a morning person. While I fixed a pot of coffee, I went through my daily morning routine of checking my texts, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram accounts, catching up from the missed hours. Twenty minutes later, I was ready to embark on with my day. I realized how much time I spend every morning catching up on social media when to be honest, nothing exciting or of importance ever happens. Accounting for the five days a week I have classes, twenty minutes every morning of mindless browsing adds up to approximately 100 minutes every week!  It was through this self-analysis that I realized how much time I waste on not doing on a task that is not productive and that I probably won’t benefit off of. Furthermore, when I was walking to class I realized how much I use my phone as a security blanket and as a shield to protect against awkward situations. Additionally, I typically call my mother or father when walking to class. The practice of mindfulness made me realize how unpractical and un-ideal it is calling my parents while walking to class. While they are happy to hear from me (and that I’m alive), it is not conducive for a true conversation but rather a few minutes of saying hello and anything of pertinent importance. I vow to call my parents when I actually have time to spend to catch up with them and vow to be less of a victim to the tyrant that is my phone. 

         Arms crossed, sunglasses donned, or heads burred in their phones is how I observed the majority of my peers while walking to class. I noticed that we rely too much on technology to communicate rather than face-to-face interactions. Whether it is to save time, avoid uncomfortable situations, or to look like you are actually doing something when you are really just testing your friend, we all are guilty of becoming slaves to our phones. When chatting with friends after class let out, I realized how pessimistic we can be. From complaining about how slow the week is passing by, how our professor “doesn’t understand”, or whining about the impending doom of the rapidly approaching midterm week. I don’t know if I chose a more cynical day to observe, Wednesdays do have that effect sometimes, but I did not previously realize how we tend to utilize face-to-face communication as a means to vent.  

        Feeling rejuvenated after a trip to the gym, I chose to unplug from all technology around 7 pm. Clad with a pen, paper, and a textbook I padded off to find a quiet space to divulge into my reading for class. While mentally ready to focus on my work, the temptation to check my phone was almost overpowering. I believe this overwhelming sense of temptation stems from my childhood, when my mother would tell me not to do something, of course all I wanted was to rebel. So the fact that I couldn’t check my phone had me itching with curiosity and temptation. When the hour finally ended, I remembered how foolish my attachment, or addition, is to my phone. 

iExamen

Briana Roberts

Professor Juniper

iExamen

The real me

The day I picked to do my iexamen was this past Monday. Going into the self-observation, I already knew what I was supposed to discover about myself. I am naturally a shy person around people who I am not comfortable with. This iexamen proved my assumptions right when I noticed I communicate with people in an awkward way.

I have the tendency to not voice out my opinions and or answers when talking amongst my peers or in class. I have a bit of a stutter, so at times it is hard for me to get my point across.  This is the reason why I never say what I am thinking because it is hard for me to voice it. However, this mostly happens in class. When the teacher told us to work in partners, I barely talked because I was uncomfortable. I knew the answer, I just did not want to talk because I second guess myself all the time. Many people may think I’m a serious quiet student, but when I am around my friends I do have my dumb loud moments.

            When I text or use other social media sights, I noticed I put the abbreviation of laugh out loud “lol” either before or after I write something. I do this because I think the person reading the message might take it the wrong way. I have to put a form of happiness in the text or I will think I am being too rude.  

            When I turned off my cell phone and electronics, I focused better on others body language and how they react to what I say. I picked up when I offended whoever I was conversing with. When that happen, I would redirect the conversation, apologize, or walk away. I become aware of my problem of saying what’s on my mind. This is why whenever I talk, I try to always smile to give off a light aura or deceive the person with my happy tone. It makes them think I am only playing around.  

            When I went back to using my phone and other electronics, I realized I relate better to people when I am not talking to them through a device. When I’m texting and the conversation died, I would not text back. But when talking face to face, I think I bond better with the person. The reason is I need to find topics to talk about. This brought out our true personalities and weirdness. I also enjoyed the talks I had with my friends during my one hour time. I unknowingly went over the time. But I really did enjoyed “real” talking and learning about my habits.
 

iExamen 1

Catherine McCormack

EN 101.16

iExamen 1

September 25, 2013

A Day in the Life

            On Tuesday, September 24, my 10:00 alarm came earlier than I expected, and was still tired even though I felt as if I had gotten a good nights rest.  The first thing I do in the morning is look at my phone, respond to the text I did not get a chance to from the night before and update myself on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Morning’s are quiet in the apartment, I noticed myself not engaging in too many conversations with my roommates, not only because I do not have much to say, but because I am not really a morning person.  We eat all our meals together, but breakfast seems to be the most laid back with the least conversation as we are all rushing to get ready for class and eat in time. 

             During class time, I noticed myself paying attention more when my teachers were writing notes than when other students participated in class.  During passing time, between classes, I found myself looking down at my phone if I was not walking with anyone, as I felt awkward walking without doing something.  I noticed myself walking faster when I was by myself than when I as with friends, and often times when I saw someone that I know passing by, I wait to make eye contact before saying hello so I know that they see me and know who I am.

            Tuesday’s are my busiest class days, I have three classes in a row from 10:50-3:00 each day, so I do not have the time to constantly look at my phone during those time periods, but I did notice that the first thing I did whenever I got out of class was look at my phone, respond to a text, check social media or make a phone call. Even when I was walking with friends between classes, I would have my phone on my and use it while talking with others, so it was almost a distraction as I was not fully attentive to either of the conversations I was having.           

            Stressed about my midterm exam that I had to prepare for the next day, I put my phone away after I got out of my last class.  I noticed that I was almost more focused on the conversations I was having because I was not distracted by the vibrate of my phone, and did not lose focus on the conversation I was having in person because of another one that was going on via text message.  I seemed more engaged in the conversation and was able to hold the conversation for longer than I felt it normally would have been.    I was also much more focused on my studies, but felt myself reaching for my phone to check the time and see if I had any new notifications because this is something I do very regularly during the day.

            My parents especially have also told me that I am constantly on my phone and I think that this iExamen has made me realize that I do depend on my phone a lot more than I realizes.  I always have my phone on me, and like I am missing something without it.  It is an easy way of communicating, but I think that I need to take more time out of my day to self reflect and steer away from technology and social media, as it is often more of a distraction.