Multitasking is a common temptation and a bad habit
Michael Rooney
Staff Writer
In life, there can be so much to complete but so little time and motivation. Plus, modern day technology is often a temptation.
So, what do many people do? They attempt to fill multiple obligations at once, also known as multitasking.
Multitasking comes in several forms. With so many commitments to balance, college students are some of the kinds of people who use this method. It commonly occurs while doing homework, in which some stu-dents like to listen to music or their television.
By doing this in the midst of responsibilities, students may find themselves to be more motivated to complete them. I too like to listen to music while studying. If I was to read a novel for one of my classes without any-thing to keep me amused, I would probably zone out in only a matter of time.
Multitasking occurs in more than just the classroom. It also occurs in homes where someone may be talking on the phone while cooking dinner or mopping the floor.
However, multitasking may not always be the best way to work. Studies around the world have shown that multitasking can have critical psychological effects and other kinds of consequences.
For example, according to an article on Chron by Carol Deeb titled “Bad Effects of multitasking,” multitasking may only be a way to add on to stress, which can lead to burnout, absences, and anxiety. Deeb also says that multitasking can be the cause to an overstimulation of the brain. If the brain has too much information to take in, it can affect productivity.
There is no doubt that college students know how exceedingly overwhelming mountains of homework can be. Sometimes, the workload builds up to the point where you could be writing a hefty English essay while taking notes for a history class. However, with these effects in mind, effective time management may be a better solution.
Of course, considering the vast number of students with smartphones in this digital age, it is no wonder that people are distracted to the point where their focus is completely shifted. Some people do not even bother to turn off their technology which results in constant device surfing and more time required to complete one task.
Distractions from social media also cause this major issue with productivity. For example, while students should be using their laptops to write an essay or conduct research, they will be tempted to log on to Facebook while they are at it. It is that easy to access anyway.
Sad but true, multitasking also occurs on the road, where some people will make the poor decision to text and drive.
According to Edgar Snyder & Associates, one out of four car accidents involve texting and driving, while it is six times more likely to cause an ac-cident than drunk driving. Texting and driving statistics involving teenagers are even more shocking: 11 teens die per day as a result of this decision, and 21% of teens that get into fatal accidents were texting and driving.
The question is: is multitasking a good idea? While some people are not affected and can handle several tasks at time, is it really worth risking the health of the brain?
To me, it really depends on the situation. Either way, it is something to do at your own risk. Whether or not you can take your time to complete your tasks, you should be aware of the effects of multitasking and decide with caution.
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” –Henry David Thoreau
Michael Rooney is a Staff Writer for The Comment Newspaper.
