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This year, Moravian University decided to give their incoming freshman students a gift: an Apple Watch. As a first-year student, I obtained mine after standing in a very long line for 30 minutes. When I got the watch, I held it in reverence as I do for all Apple equipment. I did a whole unboxing, figured out how to actually put the thing around the wrist. And then, after about 20 minutes, I placed it on my desk – and promptly forgot about it. 

I did not wear that watch for two weeks straight before my dad saw it lying around and told me to use the resources given to me. So, I wore it to school, realized that I hadn’t charged it, took out the charger, and noticed that it had a USB A connector – which was different from the rest of my Apple equipment.

When I brought my watch home, I rummaged for a USB A connector and charged my Apple Watch. But did I wear it again? No. 

A few days ago, I heard a rumor that many first-years were not wearing their watches. If this was true, that meant I was also in that majority. So, to either prove or disprove this fact, I asked around. 

I received a range of answers, which can all be bunched into four categories of students: one category wears the Apple watch and finds benefit in wearing it; the second category does not wear the Apple watch whatsoever; the third wears an Apple watch, just not the one given by Moravian; and the last group has an on-and-off relationship with it. 

Noah Bashour, a first-year biochemistry major, fell into the second category. He says that the watch has no value to him. He uses the iPad for Notability and the Macbook for writing essays, but the watch doesn’t do anything for him.

Mohammad Elkalany, another first-year, fell into the first category. “The Apple Watch helps me monitor my health and steps when I’m working out,” he said. “I also just look way cooler, not gonna lie.” 

The general consensus was pretty spread out between these categories. Some people in category four say that they just simply forget to wear the watch some days because it’s not as important as their MacBook and iPad. 

Other students feel as though the watch strap is cumbersome and a hassle to put on. I even heard one or two first-year students say that they sold theirs to a senior. 

In truth, it seems as though the Apple watch just isn’t the top priority for first-year students at the time as they are getting situated in college life. Personally, I believe that many people are too focused on their iPads and MacBooks to actually care about using an Apple watch, too.