Media Journal

My lifestyle as a college student has had a direct impact on why I am using and how I am using the media. While not devoid of media/network influence, I consume less than normal amount of information in any given day. There are of course exceptions to this at times, but I find myself consumed with college during the semester, and work in the summer

Tuning into and listening to the radio was something done only while driving to occupy my time and because I didn’t have anything else to do. This week I would as normal alternate between music, talk, and news without thinking about it. Like any other week my half-hour drive was with the radio on.   However at home my listening habits were quite different for instance I would selectively listen to the radio specifically for news, sports, and music.

Most mornings except Mondays and Wednesdays I would pick up the paper and read the sports section, comics and any news stories of interest. The only other news or current events enlightening my outlook on life would be from WTOP radios email system. The only exception to this regiment of listening habits was when I had to prepare for the Political club meeting.  During this preparation I would review the latest news for the week using newspapers such as the Frederick News Post, Websites such as County and States websites, and Google various news events.

While studying I have found that having something playing in the background (white noise) can at times aid in my studies. While working at or on a computer I have started using Pandora radio because it’s usability and its free and I am able to find music I like. The majority of my media usage is at college. When I study at college, among the first things I do is check my emails, and turn on the internet radio. Pandora normally stays on most of the day, unless I have to leave the room or I decide to take a break.

I will at times deliberately turn on music when I’m studying.  Classical Music has a tendency to make me more relaxed and puts me in a mood to begin my studies.  Some types of Classical music seem to help me retain information more easily.  One obstacle I have with classical music is when I really enjoy a particular artist, such as the Irish Tenors, and I may end up just listening to them, thereby aiding in my procrastination.  I have heard that baroque music aids in learning but I still would rather listen to the Irish tenors or the three tenors.   

At night for entertainment I occasionally watch a movie.  This is generally done to break the monotony of studying, reading, writing or when I need a break.  The movies that I watch are by design short and not too involved.  My reasoning for this is so that after watching one of these programs I can get back to work studying. Most television series works well for this purpose because they are short, easy to follow and there is no time wasted in looking up the next movies to watch. It’s nice also because you can leave the series, start studying and return to the same series the following day, week, or even month at the next show of the series with little effort in a show search.

My preference is watching television series which are online from places like Hulu and sidereel.  Both these are free which make them attractive to me financially and navigating through their system is easy. This week was not unlike others, I would get home and after doing what was needed I would look up a show to watch. This week I decided to watch Mchale's navy, a world war 2 comedy about a PT boat captain who’s crew was always conniving to make life more enjoyable in the Navy.

Texting is something I do most to entertain myself when board or when I want to communicate with someone. I prefer texting when I only have a simple question or late at night when a phone call would be disruptive.  Not having thought about texting as a form of mass communication I did not record the texts that I sent. On an average I send about 5 to 10 texts a day. 

           

            I have discovered that’s the environment one finds their self in greatly effects their media usage.  Not only is usage changed but the programs one once used changes also.  The transition one experiences in their media habits will probably be an ongoing experience as one transitions from college to the workplace, as well as when entertainment patterns, hobbies, and our environment change.   Naturally all this changes as technology drives changes to our schools, homes and workplace.  People normally think they resist change but micro changes are occurring every day in the way one thinks and the habits they claim never change. Being aware of our media usage can help us be selective and use the media as a tool rather than letting the media dominate and consume us.