We’ve all been there, when you have too much on your plate and struggle to get it all done. From taking notes while watching T.V. to having a conversation with a friend while reading a book, multitasking is a massive part of many lives. Society praises the ability to complete multiple tasks at once, but does multitasking actually help increase productivity, or are we just making things worse for ourselves?  

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology states the brain is built to focus on one thing at a time, so attempting to complete multiple tasks simultaneously can be challenging. The brain’s efforts to give equal thought to both tasks are usually unsuccessful, and it ends up just switching back and forth between the two. 

Generally, this constant shifting of our attention limits our ability to focus on each task. Concentration is key to success. It’s what allows for efficient time management and produces results. When you’re distracted, you will only create sloppy and faulty work, leaving you with more to do in even less time. 

“When I’m multitasking I sometimes end up mixing up, like I write a math answer in a science homework page,” freshman Pragya Mamilapally said. “I started zoning out and I also ended up feeling distracted or unmotivated because I ended up feeling like there’s so much on my plate that I just can’t finish.”

In extreme circumstances, these habits can also be damaging to your health. Dr. Jennifer Davis says the stress that comes with multitasking leads to a raise in blood pressure. In turn, that can cause cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, research by Stanford University reveals that multitasking could potentially pose a threat to short and long term memory.

Some may argue that effective multitasking is possible when you follow certain guidelines. The University of South Carolina and Michael Page note that there are certain tools, like prioritizing and planning ahead, that can generate productive multitasking. The University of North Carolina even mentions that good multitasking can benefit your creativity. Still, these aids can only go so far. 

“One study found that just 2.5% of people are able to multitask effectively,” Cleveland Clinic said. “For the rest of us, our attempts to do multiple activities at once aren’t actually that.”

Ultimately, it is necessary to fully understand the pros and cons of multitasking. The drawbacks that come with multitasking certainly surpass the possible benefits. As high school students, we feel a constant pressure to be good at multitasking, but you might be better off just doing things one at a time. Overall, multitasking may seem like a good ability to master, but one should be wary of the consequences that may come when using it.