Using Resources Wisely, Even When Watching Television

I grew up in a home with a television set in every room – even the bathrooms and the kitchen. By the time I graduated high school, I was sick of television and its omnipresence in my life. I have not had a television in my home since then, seven years ago. Now don’t get me wrong; I think TV shows are entertaining, informative, and generally enjoyable. I also believe that everything has its time and its place.

Today, I am one of those crazy people who only watch television on the Internet. Hulu and I are good friends. As a student, the shift to online-only TV has been fantastic! I get to choose what I watch and when I watch it. I can pause, rewind, and fast forward as I need to. Instead of being a slave to the television set, broadcast schedule, and commercial breaks, I can manage my life as I see fit. TV shows become a reward or a break while studying, rather than a distraction or background noise. This shift has allowed me to focus my attention on one thing at a time, which in turn has made me a very successful student. I earned my B.A. in Music summa cum laude and have just finished my first semester working toward my M.S. in Communication Disorders with a 4.0 GPA in 18 hours of coursework.

I know that relatively new TV services allow users to pause, rewind, fast forward, record, and replay TV shows, but they come at a price. Internet-based TV has not only benefited me because of the flexibility of the viewing schedule, but has also benefited me financially. Paying for college is a heavy burden, and every twenty dollars spent feels like another straw on the camel’s back. Basic cable costs at least $20, so I know that I am saving money by watching online. The free viewing available through Hulu and many network TV websites is a great relief for someone (like me) who refuses to spend any money on “extras.”

Time and money are two of the most precious resources a person possesses. The shift to viewing media online has allowed me to preserve and manage my resources wisely as an independent adult student. It has provided flexibility and freedom and also encourages me to make my family and my studies first priority. Altogether, internet-based television is a huge blessing to me as a student.