How Can Students Multitask While Studying?

A big percentage of students and professionals perform numerous tasks at the same time. This is an important skill needed in all industries because multitasking is a huge time-saver and boosts productivity. Gaining this skill can have a positive impact on your performance.

Do you lack multitasking skills in your academic life? Worry not; today’s blog will discuss important details about multitasking. By the end of this topic, you will know how students multitask while studying. 

How to Multitask As A Student?

We have discussed the benefits of multitasking. However, many students are unaware of how to apply this skill in their academic life. Ahead, we will answer how they can. 

By following our ways of applying multitasking in daily learning, this skill will become second nature to you.

Take breaks

While preparing for exams, students barely move and are drowning in books and information. However, it is advised to take regular mini breaks to have better energy and focus. You could do stretching exercises while studying. Here are some ideas for breaks:

• If there’s a park nearby, you can take morning and afternoon walks there. This is one of the best ways to spend your break. And no, you won’t be wasting time by walking. 
• You could hear an informative lecture or any educational video by refreshing your mind by walking. Many people also listen to TED talk videos while working out. This boosts one’s dedication and inspiration. 
• If parks aren’t your cup of tea, try visiting any cafe or library. The new environment will be great for you mentally. Take your study notes or a good book to read there while sipping on something. You could also schedule a group study session in a cafe or library if you want.

Tip: Hear songs while learning to be more productive. Studies have proven that the environment created by music allows people to work longer and harder.

During commute or travel

If you have to travel somewhere or have a long commute to school daily, bring notes to review in either soft or hard copy. If you decide to read a book instead, don’t just underline key points. Make individual notes somewhere else for future reference.

While eating

While preparing for standardized tests or exams, students often miss meals to prolong their study hours. This is an unhealthy habit and has a negative impact on your studies, too. Students are advised to practice multitasking while eating. For example, you could read the daily newspaper during breakfast or hear lectures during lunch.

Before each meal, consider a topic you would like to polish and revise it while eating. This is how you can prioritize your health and do revision at the same time! Meals won’t feel like a time waste at all, as you will be memorizing core concepts. 

Why are multitasking skills necessary?

There is no industry that doesn’t require multitasking. It is a demanding skill that makes a smooth working environment. Read the following benefits of multitasking:

It saves a lot of time

This is a no-brainer. Since you will be attending to multiple tasks at the same time, there won’t be a need to tend to each task separately. For instance, watching educational videos while completing your homework. In a shorter time span, both tasks can be performed. Students can save a few hours every day through multitasking.

Your productivity will be improved

By achieving more stuff in a lesser amount of time, your productivity will be increased naturally as well. Moreover, students who multitask can set a productive tone in their learning zone. Your parents and teachers will be proud to see your better results.

Minimal chances of procrastination

Procrastination is every student’s enemy. It’s the biggest hurdle standing between them and good grades. Delaying work in laziness is the first bad habit to remove if you wish to be better at school. 

With more time and productivity, students are pushed to work quicker and harder. They will even start exam preparation earlier instead of cramming everything in one night. 

Examples of Multitasking Skill

Multitasking consists of many sub-skills that can help you become a successful student. These are mentioned below:

Prioritization

This skill is defined as the ability to judge responsibilities and arrange them in an urgent order to save time. This means completing the simplest or the most important task first and investing time in tough or bigger tasks later. Ideal prioritization also allows you to perform time-sensitive tasks first. 

No matter how you prioritize your academic tasks, making a mental order will make more time at the end of the day. Hence, prioritization is a must for smooth multitasking. 

Organization

As multitasking demands more attention than doing a single task in one sitting, staying organized can motivate you to complete multiple assignments concurrently. Make a tidy study zone with transparent resources and labels. This will prevent time wastage in finding the things required for each task.

After performing a task, being organized will help you gather resources in an appealing way. Higher-grade students can consider using a task management software program for an optimum organization with a number of active projects at hand. MTS tutors also teach this skill in their students.

Time-management

This skill is all about managing your time wisely to make sure that you remain on top of all academic goals and deadlines. Time management also works in hard situations and makes them manageable. 

Schedule your daily activities, and when an unexpected task arrives, decide how you will multitask that day. Time management will also make you recognize the tasks that demand the least effort and time.

How to Improve Multitasking Skills

Make a to-do list

Make a plan of action with a to-do list. Clearly mention your tasks for every day to keep a sharp focus. At the end of the day, write a to-do list in 15 minutes for the next day. For big tasks, break them into smaller steps. 

When it comes to a long-term assignment or project, make another list for it. And once the project is almost complete, it can be added to the daily to-do list.

Minimize distractions

Distractions negatively impact multitasking as they mess with your focus. Follow these tips to reduce distractions:

• Take brief breaks every now and then to recharge.
• Keep your door closed while studying hard topics that require your full attention.
• Hear music for better focus.
• Make sure that your study environment has no noise.
• Put your mobile phone on airplane mode.

Also Read: 5 Learning Challenges And How To Overcome Them?

Group similar tasks

After prioritizing and organizing your tasks, group similar tasks in one category. Multitasking usually means performing tasks of a similar nature concurrently for higher efficiency. Likewise, students can also group tasks that demand the same efforts, such as reviewing notes of 3 subjects. You will feel a difference in your focus after combining related tasks.

Monitor your progress

Keep an eye on what you achieve every day. This guarantees that you are right on schedule. If you are lagging behind, give all your attention to one task only rather than jumping from one task to another. This is how critical duties are accomplished faster. 

Use downtime to review new information.

The reason why so many people hesitate to multitask is because it causes a hurdle in memory. It is easy to interfere with the process of gaining information. It is hard to recall what you accomplished yesterday.

On a busy study day when the most you can do is skim through the content, take out some time to review it afterwards on the same day. Reread it during breaks, commutes, or your breaks. Students can also explain the topic to themself for comprehension. This is how information sticks in your head.

Summing it Up

What do you think about multitasking? Is it still a difficult skill to master? By following our methods to practice multitasking, you won’t be stuck in a dull study schedule. Students will be energized and inspired to study instead. Multitasking is a need in the 21st century if you want to keep up the pace with everyone. As long as students don’t practice this skill too hard, it will show positive academic results. 

We hope this blog will organize you and help you with your study schedule. Happy learning!