Wondering if you should be a multitasking wizard or a master of deep work? In this blog, we will delve into both deep work and multitasking so you can decide which is the right technique for you
Juggling vs focus
Picture this scenario: you’ve got a long list of tasks to be done. You’re juggling assignments, homework and trying to revise for your upcoming exams but you’re not sure how to go about it all. Do you immerse yourself in one task, giving it all your focus? Or do you prefer juggling everything at once, researching notes for your assignment while listening to a subject-related podcast to prepare for your exam?
For years, multitasking has been celebrated, with many companies also valuing multitaskers as the ideal employees. But is it truly the strategy you need for every task? When do you stop and decide to give your full attention to just one task?
At CMR University, students are encouraged to develop smart study habits that help them navigate busy schedules and make the most of their academic journey. Understanding when to use deep work and when to multitask can make a significant difference to both productivity and learning.
What is multitasking?
Multitasking is the art of doing multiple tasks simultaneously. However, while it feels like we’re juggling multiple tasks, our brains are actually switching from one task to another rather than truly handling numerous tasks at once.
For example, if you’re replying to an email while listening to an educational podcast, you aren’t fully focusing on either task, which can lead to shallow work.
Research shows that only about 2.5% of people can truly multitask efficiently, whereas the rest of us experience “task-switching costs”, the cognitive energy lost when switching between different activities.
However, multitasking feels productive, creating an illusion of efficiency because we feel as though we are always busy. Studies from Stanford University suggest that heavy multitaskers are actually less productive and more prone to distractions than those who focus on one task at a time.
Scenarios where it can work
Multitasking can be quite effective when done right. This usually means combining a task that requires significant focus with one that is more routine or requires less mental effort. For example, listening to an audio lecture while doing your laundry or revising using audio notes while commuting to college. This way, you can still get multiple tasks done without stretching yourself too thin.
Pros
- Saves time
Multitasking can save quite a bit of your time when done right. As a student, you need to be able to balance your personal life with college work, so combining tasks, especially one high-effort task with one low-effort task, can be beneficial. - Helps manage busy schedules
Students often have multiple deadlines and responsibilities at once. Using spare moments to complete simple tasks can free up more focused time later for studying or working on major assignments. - Keeps you productive
Multitasking helps you stay productive during the day through steady progress. Completing small tasks like organising notes while files upload or planning your study schedule while waiting for class to begin can help you stay on top of your workload.
Cons
- Reduces focus on complex tasks
Multitasking dilutes the attention you devote to complex tasks. For example, if you’re working on an assignment while listening to a lecture, you’re giving less attention to both when you could instead be actively focusing on and absorbing one. - Can take longer overall
Although multitasking may seem efficient, constantly switching between tasks often means spending less time fully focused on each one. This leads to more time spent refocusing. A student who alternates between homework and social media may finish later than someone who works uninterrupted. - Affects learning and memory
When your attention is divided, you’re less likely to retain important information. Revising for an exam while scrolling through reels on your phone can make it harder to remember what you’ve studied. - Increases stress and mistakes
Managing too many tasks at once can lead to frustration and missing important details, which in turn results in unnecessary and avoidable mistakes.
What is deep work?
Deep work is the art of pouring your focus into one cognitive task rather than distributing it across multiple tasks. It requires distraction-free concentration and is generally work that challenges your brain enough to produce meaningful output. Deep work is when you enter a flow state where creativity and efficiency skyrocket because your brain isn’t constantly switching from task to task.
Scenarios where it can work
Deep work isn’t necessary for every task, only those that require critical thinking and sustained concentration. For example, if you’re studying for an exam or working on an assignment that contributes a significant portion of your final grade, deep work may serve you better. It is most effective when the task requires thinking, learning or creativity.
Pros
- Improves focus
Since all your brainpower is dedicated to one particular task rather than being spread across multiple activities, deep work improves focus and allows you to produce better results. - Better retention
Studying without distractions makes it easier for your brain to process and remember information. This can lead to better recall during exams and a stronger grasp of difficult subjects. - Produces better results
By dedicating all your attention to one task, you’re more likely to retain information, think critically and come up with creative solutions. A two-hour focused study session is often far more effective than four hours of distracted work.
Cons
- Requires discipline
Unlike multitasking, deep work requires a great amount of focus. You need to remove distractions and commit your attention to the task at hand. Building the habit of deep work takes time and consistent effort. - Not ideal for every task
Deep work is useful for tasks that require concentration and deep thinking but not so much for routine activities. If all you’re doing is replying to emails or organising files, deep work may not be the best use of your time. - Can be difficult in busy environments
If the goal is undivided attention, then a noisy environment or frequent interruptions can make your work significantly more challenging. Finding a perfectly quiet environment may be a challenge in itself.
Using both together
While many students have a preference, favouring one or the other, the key here is to actually use both. Students need to pick and choose the technique based on the task and not fit the task into their preferred technique.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. By learning when to focus deeply and when to multitask strategically, students can work more effectively and make better use of their time. At CMR University, cultivating these skills can help students succeed academically while preparing them for the demands of the modern workplace.
Tasks like preparing for an exam or working on a capstone project may require the greater focus that deep work offers, whereas multitasking is better suited to low-effort activities such as listening to revision podcasts or planning your schedule.
The best way to master this balance is to time-block your day. Devote dedicated periods to deep work and leave the remaining time for routine tasks that can be multitasked. Over time, this can help you build a more productive and sustainable routine.
FAQs
1. How can students improve focus instead of multitasking while studying?
Students can build better focus by practicing single-tasking, using the Pomodoro technique (25-minute focused study blocks with short breaks), switching off phone notifications, and studying in a distraction-free environment. Over time, this trains the brain for sustained concentration, which is a core skill for effective learning and exam preparation.
2. Is multitasking good or bad for studying?
For studying, multitasking is generally bad, research shows that dividing attention between tasks like texting, browsing, and reading textbooks reduces comprehension, slows down learning, and hurts long-term memory retention. Multitasking works better for low-effort, routine tasks (like folding laundry while listening to a podcast) but not for complex academic work that needs deep concentration.
3. What are examples of multitasking students should avoid while studying?
Common examples include texting or scrolling social media while reading notes, watching TV while doing homework, switching between multiple study apps or tabs, and studying for two subjects at once. These habits fragment attention, increase study time, and lower retention compared to focused, single-subject study sessions.
4. What is deep work, and why does it matter for students?
Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task, such as solving math problems, writing an essay, or understanding a new concept. For students, deep work leads to faster learning, stronger memory retention, and higher-quality academic output compared to fragmented or distracted study sessions.
5. How can students practice deep work while studying?
Students can practice deep work by setting a fixed study schedule, eliminating distractions (phone, social media, background noise), choosing one subject or task per session, and gradually increasing focus duration. starting with 25–30 minute sessions and building up to 60–90 minutes of uninterrupted study.
6. What are the main principles of deep work for effective learning?
The main principles include working with intense, undistracted focus; scheduling dedicated deep work blocks in advance; minimizing shallow, low-value tasks; embracing boredom to strengthen attention span; and reducing digital distractions like social media during study hours. Applying these principles helps students learn faster and retain information longer.
7. How does deep work improve retention compared to studying while distracted?
Deep work strengthens retention because full attention allows the brain to encode information more effectively into long-term memory. Studying while distracted such as: switching between apps or chatting while reading, forces the brain to constantly re-focus, which weakens memory formation and makes it harder to recall information during exams.
