The SUNY Oswego Advisement Center hosted Myth of Multitasking: Maximise Focus and Productivity via Zoom on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

The event was hosted by Nicole Klinger, a graduate student who works in the advisement center. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss research that has been done behind the myth of multitasking, go over ways to improve focus and why it is important to know these things as a college student.

Klinger began the meeting with the question, “Is multitasking real?” and placed emphasis on the fact people often believe they are multitasking effectively, but in reality they are not being productive. 

“When you switch between two tasks,” Kilnger said. “You lose that concentration, so it might be a small bit of time like 1/10 of a second, that’s what Reacher’s research says, but it adds up after a while, especially if you have a big project to do.”

She continued, saying that every time you have to refocus on a task, you are more likely to make mistakes because your brain has not had time to refocus. 

According to the presentation, multitasking is harmful because it increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, and adrenaline. 

“These hormone levels increase and it can actually cause your brain to overheat,” Klinger said. “It leads to foggy mental awareness and processing.”

Klinger said research also shows that multitasking can “tax the prefrontal cortex,” which decreases one’s ability to problem solve.

“Not only are you less productive, it is not good for your brain and causes fogginess,” Klinger said. “You are more likely to make mistakes and you can’t process information well.”

At the end of the presentation, Klinger offered advice for students on how they can work more efficiently. She suggested batch processing, which is setting aside time during the day for specific tasks such as answering emails, creating goals and lists or using distraction blockers, which are online tools that force productivity, like Cold Turkey Writer that will lock your computer screen until a certain word count is reached.

Any students who have questions about how to be more productive can contact the advisement center via email  at advisement@oswego.edu or stop by during their walk in hours. 

Image via Laker Life