MULTI-TASKING: THE ILLUSION OF PRODUCTIVITY
In hopes of accomplishing tasks efficiently, many resort to multi-tasking—but is it truly a productivity booster, or does it do more harm than any good?
Most students these days work on multiple tasks at once, hoping that it will make them finish faster. While it may seem like an effective way for them to get more things done, it is not suggested by Psychology professionals.
An article published by Kendra Cherry in 2025 reveals that the human brain is not designed to do multiple tasks all at once. Instead, "task-switching" takes over—where the brain switches rapidly between tasks, leading to cognitive overload and reduced performance.
Despite that, multi-tasking remains a staple to students, making use of its "convenience" premise. Take for example, students may attempt to study while scrolling through social media or watching TV, only to find that they were wasting more time than what they expected. Similarly, student leaders may juggle academic and organizational tasks, making sure that they will be able to finish on time—only to feel overwhelmed and unproductive.
The impact of multi-tasking is not only about the productivity of students, but also about their overall well-being. Over time, doing such action lead to burnout and a decline in overall cognitive function, contributing to stress and mental fatigue—since the brain spends extra energy to manage the competing demands of students.
Cherry (2025) suggests that the students should adopt a more focused approach than doing multiple tasks altogether at once. In her article she encourages them to take things slowly—doing tasks one at a time, ensuring the quality of their work as well as their peace of mind.