This year’s new phone rules have left many bulldogs reeling without their favorite mindless entertainment. Many bulldogs are left with nothing to do but watch the clock or catch up on work, but there are better ways to use your time unproductively.
Teachers might lash out at electronics but are usually more than relieved to see students pull out a book. For some the idea of reading a whole book is pretty daunting, but books don’t have to be long or hard to read. We Have Always Lived In the Castle by Shirley Jackson is a short and easy psychological horror thriller sure to keep your attention and cause whiplash with its crazy twists. Another short read would be Ursula K. Le Guin’s Wizard of EarthSea. Earthsea is often referred to as one of the founding books for modern fantasy readers. Le Guin is a master of writing in beautiful and detailed settings in which you can easily get lost in her amazing descriptions.
If longer and more serious books are more your style, books like The Handmaid’s Tale might be what you are looking for. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margarete Atwood is a futuristic dystopian novel that covers heavy-hitting topics like the patriarchy, totalitarianism, and the loss of women’s reproductive rights. Another great pick is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a memoir recounting Walls’ childhood in a dysfunctional family with a nomadic lifestyle. “The Glass Castle has won several awards including a Christopher Award and was adapted into a film in 2017.
If reading isn’t your style, puzzles and games can be found in almost any form, which includes paper versions. Practically anywhere you can buy books will carry crossword or Sudoku books. These puzzles not only distract you from the work you are supposed to be doing, but also give you and your tablemates something to bond over.
The district might be able to take away phones, but they can’t take away the power of your mind. Before the invention of phones, many people had to entertain themselves with the seemingly infinite terrain of the inside of their imagination. The dull landscape of most classrooms leaves much to be improved, take your sweet time ignoring anything your teacher might be saying and imagine yourself somewhere much more fun, like on top of a mountain or maybe even tomorrow’s homecoming dance in the commons. Perhaps the best way to squander the time you have left is by taking a light nap during class, resting your eyes, and letting Hamlet’s iambic pentameter lull you to sleep.
The new phone rules might seem like a massive change for many, but it doesn’t mean that it has to be a bad one. Use them as a kickstart to find a new passion or pastime. Whether you do it by reading, solving puzzles, or just sitting and thinking, there is always something besides your phone to do. Embrace the boredom and find a new way to “waste” time.
