Despite having mountains of work to do over the past weekend, I managed to get last-minute tickets to the Zach Bryan concert in Charlotte, North Carolina. My roommates were already planning to go, and I decided I couldn’t miss it. And I’m so glad that I went, because it reminded me that sometimes, just pausing to enjoy life is the best thing you can do for yourself.

There is true value in spontaneity. Sometimes, you need to get up in the morning without having a clue where the day will take you — it is refreshing, especially if you are used to sticking to a plan like I am.

At the concert, I noticed that far fewer people were on their phones, scrolling or filming, than I had expected. Most of the people in the stadium were simply paying attention to the music, dancing and singing with their friends and genuinely living in the moment.

This really resonated with me. I feel like we, as a society, are so used to seeing people with their eyes glued to their phones at all times, even during events like concerts, movies or graduations. Because we are so used to having screens everywhere, it almost comes as a shock when people set their phones down and focus on enjoying the moment.

When I graduate in a few years, I don’t want to look back at my time at Clemson and regret not doing that thing I always wanted to or missing that event I was invited to. I don’t want to find myself wishing I had lived a little more spontaneously or spent less time scrolling on my phone and more time on Clemson’s beautiful campus, enjoying life with my friends and family.

There is such fulfillment in experiencing life the way it was meant to be lived, so look up from your phone and pay attention to the beautiful world around you.

Let this be your reminder not to take Clemson for granted. Spend time with your friends, go outside and enjoy your life — you only get one. There are probably so many people out there wishing they had the opportunities you have as a college student, so take advantage of them.

Take this as a sign to buy that concert ticket, take that trip, go to that party, do that thing you’ve always wanted to do — and do it without your phone in your face.