The Multitasking Trap

The ability to multitask is often viewed as an essential skill for high achievers, as well as a sign of stronger cognitive ability. Many students today try to study while listening to music, watching a video for another class, or just browsing dozens of different tabs on their computer. This kind of digital multitasking can feel efficient to students, like they’re getting more done in less time, but research shows quite the opposite: dividing attention during study actually overloads their working memory and impairs learning new material. 

The term multitasking is even a bit of a misnomer. According to neuropsychologists, our brains do not actually multitask in the sense of processing different inputs simultaneously. Rather, they rapidly switch between the tasks over and over. This constant rapid switching drains mental energy and reduces how much information gets stored in long-term memory. It seems our brains are fundamentally designed to focus on one task at a time. In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, David Meyer and other researchers from the University of Michigan found that attempting to multitask can slow productivity and cost someone as much as 40% more time. This research helps explain why a child may spend an hour “studying” vocabulary while texting friends but then remember very little the next day. The information simply never had a chance to stick. On the other hand, when a student devotes their full attention to one task at a time, they process information more deeply and efficiently, leading to stronger understanding and memory.

Phones, music with lyrics, and computer tabs are some of the most common multitasking traps. Even a buzzing phone that a student doesn’t check can disrupt concentration. Music with lyrics can interfere with reading and writing by overloading the brain’s language centers. And switching between multiple online tabs interrupts the flow of thought needed to solve problems or write clearly. But single-task focus can be built with small, practical changes. Some students find success with the Pomodoro technique, which involves repeated sessions working for 25 minutes on a timer followed by a 5-minute break. This makes focus more manageable and reduces burnout. Keeping devices in another room during these sessions can also help protect concentration. Finally, setting one clear goal for each study session and writing it down, such as “review 15 vocabulary words” or “complete 5 practice problems,” also makes it easier to stay on task.

Parents of course play an important role as well in supporting focused study habits. I find that my most successful students tend to have the most peaceful workspaces at home, free of clutter and full of quiet. I think it’s essential for every parent to provide this kind of environment as best they can and to re-examine the space where their child is studying if they notice difficulties with concentration. 

-Felipe Gurascier