Workaholic: a term that is often used to describe my tendency to be in the office until late hours, work part-time on my non-school days and cram in reading during any other bit of free time.

I suppose my tendency to take on way too many projects and work long hours is indicative of my work ethic and ambition. I want to be successful, and I’ve always imagined that this is the way to get there.

With that being said, my enthusiasm for learning and working has only been exacerbated by my attachment to technology: specifically my Apple Macbook and iPhone. I can’t imagine leaving my house without either of these items when I’m going to school.

I’m increasingly reliant on my iPhone to e-mail while I’m on the go. If an editor is in the office working on deadline while I’m at work, they can call me and expect that I will answer immediately or at least get back to them within the hour.

The same can be true of any situation that requires immediate attention – I will instantly answer e-mails that are necessary for the operation of the newspaper, or any e-mails relating to course work. With my thumbs at the ready, I am ready to tackle any problem or issue no matter the place or time.

On weekends, I am the girl that hangs out with friends and responds to e-mails.  I am the girl that always puts work and school before leisure and time off. I am the girl that sleeps with her iPhone for fear that someone may need her in the middle of the night.

You know you have a problem when you leave your phone by your pillow, wake up in the middle of the night to check e-mails and check your Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr first thing in the morning.

As bizarre as the above might seem, I don’t think I am the only one affected by this addiction to being constantly connected to the outside world. Private relationships suffer when people are spending more time on their hand-held devices than engaging with their friends or the people around them.

We think that because we are constantly connected that we have an edge over the other people in the work place – we can be immediately accessed whereas someone who does not have a shiny handheld device might take extra time to check their e-mail.

However, I think this makes us more prone to being burned out and exhausted by the end of the week. When my 11-hour work shift on Saturday ends, I am often too tired to spend time with friends. While most students are going out Friday and Saturday nights, I am curled up in my pajamas in bed with a cup of tea in one hand, my iPhone in the other hand and my laptop on a table in front of me. I am that addicted.

That is why this Spring Break, I will be engaging in a little bit of an experiment. I will be leaving my laptop home, putting my iPhone on airplane mode and trekking to Oxford to spend the week with the Ionian’s former Editor-in-Chief James Hurley.

During this trip, I will not be answering any e-mails or even peeking at my inbox. If caught doing these things, I want Hurley to come up with a severe punishment like not letting me go to Blackwells for the day or not letting me drink coffee (Both things that I intend to do, in excess, every day while I’m there.)

This time away will be good for my mental and physical strength, as I’ve been battling a cold for weeks and constantly forgetting to do things as my agenda continues to increase in length.

With that being said, I encourage professors, students and staff to engage in a similar experiment. If a weeklong media blackout seems like too much, then turn the phone off for a couple hours each day and dedicate that time to spending with your family, friends and other loved ones.

The school year is a hectic time for everyone on this campus – and some time away is just what we need. Enjoy your Spring Break, and I’ll see you come March 21.

To contact The Ionian’s Heather Nannery, e-mail her at [email protected].