Campuses all across the country are experiencing the impact cell phones have had on college life.

Students and faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln see the benefits of owning a cell phone. 

"I rely on it (cell phone) for communication with friends and family," said Emma Deleon, a  freshman inclusive elementary education major. 

Deleon said she doesn’t talk on her phone a lot while on campus, but uses text messaging instead and has noticed a lot of students texting while in class. 

"I don’t do it (texting) excessively," she said. 

The Apple iPhone has brought in a new wave of technology for phones, acting as a phone, mp3 player, camera, camcorder and planner, among other uses. Photo courtesy of Apple.

According to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 69 percent of college students said they are more likely to use phones than the Internet to communicate socially. 

Patrick Sheehan, a senior criminal justice major, said he uses text messaging while in class and has noticed other people texting. 

"I use my cell phone for everything. I don’t have a house phone," Sheehan said. 

UNL sociology professor Dr. Dan Hoyt said he's noticed how cellular phones have changed campus life compared to when he was in college.

 “In the 70s, we didn’t have cells and computers,” Hoyt said. “We used regular phones.” 

Phones today have come a long way from their early days. This big, bulky phone was once a huge advancement in technology. Photo courtesy of appleinsider.com

Hoyt, who received his undergraduate degree in 1974, said before cell phones, people would plan their day and knew they probably wouldn’t talk to some people until they got home. "Cell phone use on campus produces more interaction and social networking," Hoyt said.

Although Hoyt doesn't text, he does have a blackberry and a cell phone, and said it is amusing to see so many people on campus talking on cell phones.  Hoyt said he realizes the importance of phones, "The academic world has changed by electronic communication".

"If I’m running late to a meeting, I use my blackberry," Hoyt said. 

UNL is currently testing the new text message alert system so that students and faculty can be notified of any emergencies. 

"I think it’s a challenge for universities trying the text message alert system," Hoyt said. "What about the kids with no cells?"

To hear more of what students say about cell phones, click here.