Colloquium's Positive Effects on My Life

Before colloquium, I saw myself as a more environmentally conscious individual than the typical American college student.  I recycle, I car pool when I can, I walk and bike to areas close to my apartment, I turn off lights and fans when I leave rooms, and take other conscious steps to try to reduce my ecological foot print.  But after taking this course, I realized I wasn’t as ecologically friendly as I thought and it helped me to redefine my activities while “relaxing.”  My previous activities involved an overload of technological devices.  I’d often sit down on the couch in front of the TV, with my laptop on my lap and my cell phone in arm’s reach.

This constant overload has not only made me less relaxed but also has also made me feel unsettled.   Technology allows us to disconnect from our natural environment and be in multiple virtual realities simultaneously.  Colloquium made me realize there is a multitude of other activities I can do instead of being distracted by technology.

The habits I’ve kept from becoming more environmentally aware are many and more good habits are continuing to replace old ones.  Instead of closing my blinds at night, I keep them open so that the light can help wake me up in the morning.  I switched from using artificial light to natural light in my apartment during the day.  I am also continuing to buy less packaged products to try to reduce my garbage and I stopped buying paper plates and disposable cups.  Another part of camping that I took back was the idea of slow cooking.  I am now trying to make my meals with a slower pace instead of fast food.  I am doing this for consumption purposes as well as my health. And most importantly, I and consciously taking more steps to not let myself be bombarded by multiple technology devices simultaneously, especially while relaxing.  I am now doing more activities to try to relax instead of just turning on the TV.  I am bike riding more, playing with my dog, and outside more in general.  This class has helped me to learn a lot about myself and my use of technology.  I hope I am able to continue to keep up my new habits.