Multi-Tasking on the Computer

by Jingwei

The advent of Instant Messaging has made multi-taskers out of everyone- now everyone chats while doing their homework. But when you have a pressing deadline to meet, and efficiency is an absolute must, it’s important to have some insider’s knowledge about multitasking, so that we can get it all done and sleep at a decent time.

Under what circumstances should you multi-task? Only when you’ve failed to avoid the avoidable. When two or more important things are of equal priority and are due at the same time. For instance, you may have to type an English assignment due the next day (notwithstanding the fact that you actually had time to do it ten days ago), while having a pre-arranged online discussion for a group project for Social Studies due in the same week.

Multi-tasking doesn’t mean that everything on your taskbar deserves equal attention. First choose about 2-3 pieces of computer work which you think are completable (not those that you like best), and set a time target to complete these by. They should preferably not stretch over more than two computer applications, e.g. MS Word. Once you have set this priority list, don’t let anything change it.

Next, minimize distractions by shutting down unnecessary ICQ windows, games, music etc. If possible, be disciplined enough to finish all work from a single application before moving on to the next. When your mind gets used to the workings of one application, you tend to work faster. You can try to be disciplined by using self-talk (“I think I can…”) or getting a parent/older sibling to check on you from time to time. For the various things you need to multi-task on, try to make one item your focus for a short period of time, and put about 80% of your mind into it, while keeping other applications open on your taskbar to:
- remind yourself of them, or
- to add to any of those pieces of work if something triggers a flash of inspiration. This often happens if your two pieces of work are from the same academic subject.

For instance, if your English assignment as your primary piece of work, make it a point to finish a certain number of questions or an essay point before you check on your other pieces of work. Try to have online group discussions lower on your priority list, update yourself every now and then on the conversation, contribute just enough to keep the discussion going,

For your main piece of work, try to work with efficiency. To do work quickly, besides driving yourself to complete each point before moving on to the next, learn to use keyboard shortcuts such as those for MS Word operations found on
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290938. When multi-tasking, use the key function Alt + Tab to switch seamlessly between two windows. Halfway through your main piece of work, make it a point to ensure that your ‘background’ piece of work (the MSN conversation in this case) is doing fine.