Initiating a Screen-Free Revolution at NUS College

NUS College, Singapore's pioneering honours college within the National University of Singapore (NUS), recently marked a bold step towards rebalancing digital and real-world engagement with its inaugural Touch Grass Week from January 26 to 30, 2026. This voluntary initiative challenged over 300 undergraduates to minimize screen use during classes, opting instead for discussions, physical texts, handwritten notes, and even outdoor sessions. The event, inspired by the internet slang 'touch grass'—urging a return to nature and offline interactions—aimed to heighten awareness of technology's grip on attention and foster deeper learning experiences.

In a campus where students average around eight hours daily on devices, mirroring national trends among Singapore teens at 8.5 hours per day, the week highlighted the pressing need for intentional tech habits. Dean Simon Chesterman emphasized that it was 'not about rejecting technology, but noticing how it shapes our time, attention, and connections—and what we might gain by occasionally putting it aside.' This approach aligns with growing concerns over digital overload impacting mental wellbeing in higher education.

Understanding NUS College's Unique Residential Model

Launched as NUS's flagship honours programme, NUS College admits 6-7% of the university's undergraduates annually, drawing from over 60 majors across multiple faculties. Students reside on campus for two years in a close-knit community, participating in small seminar-style classes of 20-25 led by international faculty. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary critical thinking, global immersion through programmes like Global Experience (GEx) and Impact Experience (IEx), and real-world projects, complementing their primary degrees with an NUS College certificate.

This residential setup, centred at University Town, fosters transformative interactions beyond lectures. Touch Grass Week leveraged this environment, turning lawns into classrooms and promoting peer dialogues that digital tools often interrupt. As Singapore's first such honours college, it sets a precedent for holistic education amid tech saturation.

The Screen Time Epidemic in Singapore's Universities

Singaporean undergraduates spend approximately 57 hours weekly on smartphones—over eight hours daily—often blending academic, social, and recreational use. Studies link problematic smartphone usage (PSU) to heightened depressive symptoms, anxiety, and distress, with 33.6% reporting poor mental wellbeing and 13.9% psychological distress. At NUS and NTU, excessive social media correlates with loneliness, sleep disruption, and reduced emotional regulation, exacerbated by post-pandemic hybrid learning.

The Ministry of Education's (MOE) 2026 smartphone ban in secondary schools signals national recognition, extending pressures into tertiary levels. NUS College's event responds directly, addressing how constant connectivity hinders focus and interpersonal skills crucial in an AI-driven future.

Genesis and Design of Touch Grass Week

Conceived from reflections during past e-learning weeks, Touch Grass Week evolved as a 'pro-human' experiment. Dean Chesterman, a leader in technology policy, championed it to cultivate curiosity without mandates. Guidelines encouraged screen-free classes: physical handouts, whiteboards over slides, analog timers, and nature-based settings. A highlight was the January 28 Zero Tech Challenge, a 24-hour minimal-device trial excluding non-essentials like emails or streaming.

No penalties ensured buy-in; instead, it sparked voluntary participation, aligning with NUS College's ethos of personalized growth.

Activities That Brought Learning Outdoors

Classes transformed: In Global Narratives, students circled on grass dissecting Clarice Lispector's 'Love'; Science and Society tackled the Theranos scandal sans slides; creative writing involved sensory exercises with everyday objects like sponges or eggshells, honing observation without digital crutches. Faculty like Dr. Samar Faruqi, Dr. Carissa Foo, and Dr. Chan Kiat Hwa adapted seamlessly, reporting heightened student input.

• Outdoor discussions for immersive storytelling.
• Handwritten notes to embrace imperfection.
• Group brainstorming on whiteboards for collaborative flow.
• Minimal-tech reflections on daily tech habits.

These fostered presence, contrasting typical lecture halls buzzing with notifications.

Student Voices: From Challenge to Refreshment

First-year business analytics student Zen Phang described outdoor sessions as 'open, conversational, and grounded,' though he instinctively reached for his phone. Ng Yu Xin, second-year English literature, valued paper's forgiving nature: 'No fear of mistakes, more mindful details.' Computer science major Yao Yutong admitted three-hour TikTok habits but noted superior focus offline, feeling 'more grounded.' Post-week, many pledged reduced scrolling for mental resets.

Faculty Insights and Adaptations

Educators echoed positives. Dr. Faruqi's circle discussions deepened literary analysis; Dr. Foo's no-device policy sparked creativity; Dr. Chan's outdoor Theranos talks boosted participation. They plan hybrid low-screen approaches, recognizing handwriting's cognitive benefits over typing. Chesterman reflected: 'Deliberate interaction deepened engagement, revealing phone dependence.'

This underscores faculty's role in modelling balanced tech use.

Benefits, Hurdles, and Lessons Learned

Benefits included sharpened focus, richer interactions, and tech mindfulness—vital as AI proliferates. Challenges: habitual phone checks, slower handwriting, de-stressing reliance on apps. Yet, students reported calmer minds, better retention. Chesterman noted interpersonal skills' premium: 'To distinguish in AI era.'As detailed in The Straits Times, feedback informs future minimal-screen spaces.

Implications for Mental Health and Pedagogy in Singapore HE

Amid 26-33% uni students facing depression/anxiety tied to screens, Touch Grass Week models interventions. Studies show PSU worsens sleep, loneliness; detoxes improve wellbeing. Aligning with MOE's school bans, it pioneers tertiary detox, potentially influencing NTU, SMU. Experts advocate blending offline for holistic development.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Expansion

NUS College gathers data for repeats, minimal-screen zones. Broader adoption could combat digital fatigue, enhancing employability via soft skills. As Chesterman posits, balanced tech use prepares changemakers.

For Singapore's competitive HE landscape, Touch Grass Week exemplifies innovative, student-centric pedagogy promoting real-world readiness.