I was sitting under a tree on Central Campus the other afternoon, pretending to study and watching people go about their day. Something started to bother me, and I couldn’t put my finger on it until a girl slammed into a young man walking in the opposite direction. Everyone was on their phone, toying with their iPod or tapping away on a laptop.

To be clear, this day was picturesque. The epitome of Iowa State’s beauty was taking place, and only a select few were truly witnessing it. Disgusted by this realization, I slammed my textbook shut, determined to soak in as much beauty as humanly possible.

When I got home that day, I noticed something radical: It was 8 p.m., and I wasn’t stressed. This has led me to postulate college students around the globe need to spend some time “unplugged.”

There is no question technology has tremendous benefits to the college student. I really can’t imagine writing a research paper without Google or catching up with my sister through text. However, your mind needs a chance to breathe.

Material for class, text message conversations, social media sites, music playing through earphones and TV shows — students are swamped with information on a daily basis. The demands of college are capable of inducing headaches, but by taking a break from technological noise you get a chance to gain perspective on all aspects of your life. Give yourself the opportunity to view beauty, listen to nature or enjoy each sip of your latte.

Furthermore, while the mind needs a chance to breathe, communication skills need a chance to develop. True, reading your textbook and doing your assignments is crucial to college success, but what about the art of networking? More specifically, how can you be successful in your networking escapades if you only communicate via text or Facebook?

I was walking home from class, and a high school peer, whom I barely talked to back in the day, stopped and had a conversation with me. As I walked away, I thought to myself: “He’ll be successful in business because he makes people feel important.” By being one of few “unplugged” students, he was able to have an authentic conversation and leave a good impression on me. On the flip side, because I was “unplugged” I was able to forge a deeper connection with someone I wouldn’t on a regular basis.

Great communication skills and mini-mind-vacations aside, unplug in the name of adventure. In other words, make your college story awesome.

Think about it: You can spend most of your college hours on electronic devices or you can go experience something. I think people, in general, would be happier if they went swing dancing or sky diving instead of watching “The Bachelor.” Would your rather teach your granddaughter some dancing skills or inform her Emily was “The Bachelorette” in 2012? Iowa State has so many things going on and such beauty to offer. Put yourself in the middle of the fun and take pictures while doing it.

Finally, technology is annoying.

I know it is a big achievement for civilization and everything, but I miss the old fashioned days (that I never lived in). “Wanna go on a date 😉 :)” text messages somehow pale in comparison to a written love letter delivered to front doorsteps. People are running into each other on campus because their phones have blinded them, for goodness sake!

Yes, our generation can type at tremendous speeds and our thumbs are agile; but our eyes constantly strain against computer screens, and we judge people’s feelings based on emoticons. Not to mention social media sites that take the mystery out of people’s lives. Not only do I know when Dick and Jane start dating, but I know when things are getting a little complicated… and that Jane is buying a soda because she tweeted about it.

“Unplugging” isn’t idealistic or old-fashioned, and I promise it won’t kill you to refrain from tweeting for a day. In fact, I bet a lot of students would be surprised by the peace they can find by sitting under a tree on Central Campus.