This semester, student CheyAnn McCowan brainstormed a workshop that addressed students’ relationships with media and technology. Students are bombarded by a stream of information and knowing what to engage with can be difficult, prompting McCowan to start the workshop.
Due to capacity constraints, the event had to be cancelled. The workshop, however, garnered interest and addressed a common problem, emphasizing the need for mindful media consumption. The workshop is scheduled to be in fall 2026 and promises to be a time of education.
Rebecca Tolley, director of Academic Research Services at Sherrod Library, is responsible for planning workshops each semester. Tolley is excited for the future of the workshop, emphasizing McCowan’s expertise and passion for the project.
“Our focus is fractured by phones, tablets, televisions and streaming content,” Tolley said.
She emphasizes the need to learn proper media tactics in a world where individuals are bombarded by alerts, notifications and information. Without a mindful approach to media and proper focus, Tolley explains that “task completion, assignment research and planning, and our general well-being” face danger, leading to stress and anxiety.
The end of the semester can be a particularly challenging time, with students often worried about final exams and unable to balance media consumption with daily responsibilities. This leads to a cycle of procrastination, which potentially furthers anxiety.
Tolley wants people to know that library workers are here to help. Library staff can help students deal with the stream of information.
“The goal of the workshop was to help them slow that down and be more intentional—so they’re not just reacting to everything that comes at them but making choices about what they engage with,” Tolley said.
This thoughtful engagement is beneficial to students both personally and academically. Make sure to keep an eye out in fall 2026 for this workshop, promising education and tips to approach media more mindfully.
More information can be found on the Sherrod library’s event page or by contacting Rebecca Tolley, tolleyst@etsu.edu.
