The Art of Multitasking As A Student: A MedCerts Handbook

As a student or a working professional, you’ve probably been taught the value of multitasking: the ability to do more than one task, or think about more than one thing, simultaneously.

While some believe that those who can be the most productive will be the most successful, too much multitasking can cause issues, especially for students trying to learn a concept or skill effectively.

Pros and Cons of Multitasking as a Student

As a student, multitasking can lead to efficiency and positive outcomes, but it can also create a lack of focus and other issues. Students, in particular, may try to multitask, especially if they’re working while going to school or taking on a big class load. Here are the pros and cons of multitasking as a student:

Pros of multitasking:

• Being as productive as possible

• Saving time and money

• Keeping the mind engaged

• Increasing resilience in a busy life

Cons of multitasking:

• Not focusing enough on one important thing at a time

• Increasing stress

• Lessening the mastery of one particular skill

• Decreasing time for creative thinking

There is no doubt that multitasking means more things can be done faster. But it can also have a negative impact on the mind and our ability to retain the information we really need. Students need to give their undivided attention to a topic to truly understand it. It may be hard to remember facts or processes when thinking about other things.

4 Tips to Avoid Unhealthy Multitasking

Fortunately, there are best practices you can follow to avoid the cons of multitasking. These four tips will get you started:

1. Practice Slow-Motion Multitasking

Multitasking may be our only option when we’re desperate to get things done. But instead of stepping into that busy mindset, slow things down. Practice slow-motion multitasking when you have more than one project at once, but you can move back and forth between them depending on your situation or mood.

2. Turn off Your Phone

One of the biggest distractions and time wasters for students is the smartphone. Whether you’re reading a book for class, studying for a test, or writing a paper, put your phone in the other room or turn it off completely. Then, you won’t be tempted to try to check social media, answer texts or check your email while you work.

3. Work in an Exercise Routine

Sometimes the brain can focus on something else even while you’re exercising. Try listening to an audiobook for school while you run on the treadmill or bringing a book to the exercise bike. Or simply take breaks during your day to go for a walk or do yoga to clear your mind completely. You’ll then be able to return to work with a fresh start.

4. Make Time for Your To-Do List

It’s easy to think about all the errands you have to run when you should be studying. Instead, set aside an hour or two in your day when you can cross off your to-do list. Then, you can devote your mind to schoolwork when the time comes.

As a MedCerts student, you have the flexibility to study on your own time, and you may have more than one thing on your to-do list for the day. Multitasking doesn’t always have to be negative, but there are healthy ways to manage it so it’s not getting in the way of your coursework for your MedCerts program.