Learning is Infinite by Abigail

Learning is Infinite by Abigail - March 2022 Scholarship Essay

On Instagram, I keep up with my fellow classmates, learning of their future college and career plans. I update and regularly appear on the WHS Leo Club’s Instagram page, where we promote our service projects. On Snapchat, I have groupchats with different classes where we collaborate. On Messages, I send friends what I got for the AP Calculus homework. On Tiktok, I’m always learning about current events, as well as finding motivation for a healthy lifestyle that includes working out, staying organized, and keeping up with schoolwork. There are so many different apps that fall under the umbrella of “social media,” and all are used today more than ever.

In elementary school, I remember that going to the computer lab was our only way of accessing the internet. I grew up in that weird time when the internet was just starting to take hold, chromebooks were not yet invented, and my dad still had a Blackberry phone. But when I got my first phone in eighth grade, I was catapulted face-first into the world of social media. Social media allowed me to keep up with friends as well as catch a glimpse into the lives of mere aquaintances, which I would normally be unable to do.

I did a lot of learning on social media in those first years. Perhaps not the “educational” kind, but the kind where I learned about people. I learned how people behave, where I fit in, and what kind of community I was a part of. I believe that that kind of learning is essential– maybe even more so, than the strictly academic kind of learning. Like it or not, the world is not a meritocracy, and much of our success depends on our ability to get along with others. Being on social media allowed me to do this.

In high school, chromebooks became a required part of learning. Knowing how to navigate the internet and understand technology is essential for the modern student, whereas even twenty years ago they would have been dumbfounded.

When the pandemic struck in my sophomore year, all instruction became virtual. Google Meet was my new classroom, and all of my assignments had to be completed online. In a time where isolation was the new norm, social media was one of the only outlets for students to stay connected to our peers.

But, of course, social media is not all sunshine and rainbows– there are disadvantages. I find that when I am using social media, I am almost always comparing myself to others, whether I am aware of it or not. This is a massive problem for most teenagers on social media, as doing so can be extremely damaging to mental health. Something else that I’ve noticed is that social media can take up a lot of time out of the day, which can lead to procrastination, poor time management, and even a shortened attention span.

Nevertheless, no matter how many downsides it may have, the simple fact of the matter is that social media is here to stay. The best thing we can do is to learn how to use it effectively and for good. I will continue to use social media throughout my educational career, because learning is infinite.