We live in a fast-paced world where juggling multiple tasks at once seems like the ultimate skill. Whether it’s texting while walking, watching TV while cooking, or even listening to music while studying, multi-tasking feels like a way to get more done in less time.
On a busy campus, where students are often racing between classes, study groups, and social activities, multi-tasking can seem like the go-to strategy for staying on top of everything. But is it really effective, especially when it comes to studying?
Before you decide to cram for an exam while also responding to emails and chatting with friends, the experts at Campus advise considering how multi-tasking might actually be working against you when it comes to learning and retaining information.
The Myth of Effective Multi-Tasking
It’s easy to assume that multi-tasking helps you cover more ground, especially when your schedule is packed. After all, why wouldn’t you want to knock out multiple tasks at once? However, the idea that humans can effectively multi-task is mostly a myth.
Studies have shown that our brains are not designed to handle multiple tasks at once—at least, not without making mistakes or losing focus.
When you switch between tasks, like bouncing from a textbook to your phone and then back to your notes, your brain has to repeatedly re-adjust. This constant shifting of focus, known as task-switching, tires out your brain faster and makes it harder for you to concentrate on any one thing.
You might feel like you’re getting more done, but in reality, your brain is working overtime and not performing any of those tasks as efficiently as it could.
Increased Mistakes and Mental Fatigue
One of the biggest downsides of multi-tasking during study sessions is the increased likelihood of making mistakes. When your brain is trying to juggle different tasks, it becomes easier to overlook important details or misunderstand what you’re learning.
This is especially problematic when you’re studying complex material that requires deep focus, like math problems, scientific concepts, or historical events.
Imagine trying to memorize key facts for a history exam while texting your friends or scrolling through social media. Not only does your attention get divided, but your brain also tires out more quickly from constantly shifting back and forth between tasks.
This mental fatigue can lead to errors that wouldn’t have happened if you had been giving your full attention to the study material.
Even simple tasks can become more error-prone when you’re distracted. If you’ve ever sent a text with a weird autocorrect fail because you were half-paying attention, you’ve experienced this firsthand.
The same thing happens when you study while multi-tasking. You’re more likely to misinterpret information or forget important details because your brain is too busy trying to handle everything at once.
Memory Retention Suffers
Another downside to multi-tasking while studying is that it weakens your ability to remember what you’ve learned. Your brain encodes information into your long-term memory through a process called consolidation, which requires focus and attention.
When you’re switching between tasks or distracted by background noise, your brain doesn’t fully process the information, making it harder for you to recall it later.
Think of your brain like a filing cabinet. If you’re constantly moving between different files, throwing papers in without organizing them, you’ll have a harder time finding that information when you need it. The same thing happens when you multi-task.
Because you’re not fully focused on one subject, the information you’re trying to learn doesn’t get properly “filed” into your memory, and it becomes difficult to retrieve it during an exam or assignment.
In contrast, when you give your full attention to one subject at a time, your brain can effectively store that information, making it easier to recall later. So, if you’re hoping to ace that exam, it’s better to spend focused time on each subject rather than trying to do everything at once.
Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to studying, quality of study time matters far more than the quantity of tasks you’re trying to tackle at once.
You may think that studying for five hours while simultaneously catching up on social media is productive, but if you’re not fully engaged, you won’t retain nearly as much information as you would during one hour of focused, distraction-free study.
Instead of spreading yourself too thin by attempting to do multiple things at once, aim for focused study sessions. Try the Pomodoro Technique, where you study intensely for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
This method allows you to concentrate fully on your study materials, with short breaks to prevent burnout. By doing this, you can achieve more in less time, all while giving your brain the space it needs to rest and process information.
Creating a Distraction-Free Zone
One way to reduce the temptation to multi-task is by creating a study environment that encourages focus. This might mean finding a quiet spot in the library or a calm corner of your home where you can shut off distractions.
If you’re on campus, look for study rooms or lounges where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Turning off notifications on your phone and computer can also be a game-changer. Social media, texts, and other distractions can easily pull you away from your studies, and before you know it, you’ve spent half your study time answering a group chat or scrolling through your feed.
If you can, put your phone on airplane mode or use apps that block distractions while you study.
The Power of Single-Tasking
While it’s tempting to think of multi-tasking as a productivity hack, the reality is that single-tasking—focusing on one task at a time—is a far more effective strategy for studying. By dedicating your full attention to one subject, you’ll understand the material more deeply, retain the information better, and reduce the number of mistakes you make.
Single-tasking allows your brain to operate at full capacity, rather than constantly switching gears and losing focus. It’s like driving on a clear, open road versus navigating through traffic with constant stops and turns. The more uninterrupted time you can dedicate to one task, the more smoothly your brain can process and retain information.
Final Thoughts: Multi-Tasking Isn’t the Shortcut You Think It Is
While it might feel like multi-tasking allows you to handle more at once, it’s actually a strategy that works against you when it comes to studying. From increased mistakes to poor memory retention, the downsides outweigh any perceived benefits.
Instead of spreading your attention thin, focus on single-tasking during study sessions to give your brain the time and space it needs to process and store information effectively.
The next time you’re tempted to multi-task while studying, remember that quality trumps quantity. Turn off distractions, focus on one task at a time, and you’ll be surprised by how much more productive and successful your study sessions become.
