Multitasking might seem like a good way to get more done, but it actually makes it harder for us to learn. When we try to do many things at once, our brain gets split up. This is called "task-switching."

When we keep switching between different activities, we lose focus. This makes it harder to pay attention and remember what we learned. Studies show that multitasking can reduce how well we learn by up to 40%. Our brains just can't keep up with doing multiple things at the same time.

In psychology, we understand that when our attention is divided, we can't dive deep into our studies. The part of our brain called the prefrontal cortex helps us think and make decisions. It can only focus on one thing at a time. Each time we change our focus, there’s a cost to our brain. This cost is known as "switching cost."

For example, if you’re studying for a test and suddenly decide to text a friend, you might end up forgetting what you just studied. This kind of switching can break our understanding and make it harder to remember important information later.

Distractions not only make it hard to remember things but also to understand them fully. If there’s a lot going on around you, you might miss important points in your learning. Research shows that students who focus on one task at a time do better on tests than those who multitask. Focusing helps us learn better.

So, even though multitasking seems tempting, we need to realize that it can hurt our attention and learning. When we focus on one thing, we understand it better and remember it longer. This focused learning is key to really mastering any subject.