By: Shaili Patel, Kennedy College of Sciences Well-Being Leader 

Hey River Hawks! Shaili here, back again with another brain-boosting chat. Today, we’re  diving into a hot topic: multitasking. Is it the ultimate productivity hack or just a recipe for  mental chaos? Let’s break it down with a delicious bagel and cream cheese analogy. Stay  with me on this one. 

The Great Bagel Balancing Act 

Imagine your brain is a warm, toasty, perfectly golden bagel, and your thoughts and tasks  are all the toppings you want to spread on it. Now, multitasking is like trying to spread  cream cheese on five bagels at once. Instead of getting a smooth, delicious bite, you end  up with a messy, uneven layer with clumps in some spots, and bare patches in others. 

The Pros: When Multitasking Kinda Works 

Let’s be real, sometimes, multitasking can be a lifesaver. Here’s when it actually helps: 

• Quick, Low-Effort Tasks: Listening to music while folding laundry? Absolutely.  Watching a lecture while meal prepping? Maybe. Your brain can handle one passive  task alongside an active one. 

• Boosting Creativity: Ever had a brilliant idea while doodling in class? Sometimes,  doing something mindless lets your brain wander and make unexpected  connections. 

• Maximizing Downtime: If you’re waiting in line or on a treadmill, listening to a  podcast can make the time fly while learning something new. 

The Cons: When Multitasking Turns Your Brain into a Crumbly Bagel 

Here’s the not-so-fun part; multitasking doesn’t always work the way we hope. 

• Divided Attention = Sloppy Work: Just like a poorly spread bagel, when your focus is  all over the place, things can get messy. Studies show multitasking can reduce  efficiency and lead to more mistakes 

• Brain Burnout: Constantly switching between tasks is like making a bagel sandwich,  taking it apart, and starting over again and again. Exhausting, right? Your brain needs  time to transition between tasks, and too much switching can leave you drained.

• Fake Productivity: Answering emails while studying might ‘feel’ productive, but in  reality, neither task gets your full attention. It’s like biting into a bagel and realizing  you forgot the cream cheese altogether. Oof. 

The Better Approach: Smarter Spreading 

Instead of juggling five bagels at once, focus on one and give it the cream cheese love it  deserves. 

• The 25-Minute Rule: Try the Pomodoro technique, which means working on one task  for 25 minutes, then taking a break. Your brain will thank you. 

• Batch Similar Tasks: Complete similar tasks together like responding to emails,  reading assignments, or brainstorming ideas instead of bouncing between different  tasks. 

• Mindful Multitasking: If you ‘must’ multitask, pair a passive task (like listening to  instrumental music) with an active one (like studying). 

Final Takeaway: Toast Wisely! 

Your brain, like a bagel, has limited surface area. Spread your focus wisely so each task  gets the attention it deserves. The next time you think about juggling five things at once, ask  yourself: Do I want a satisfying, perfectly layered bagel, or a chaotic, cream-cheese  catastrophe? 

Stay sharp, stay fabulous, and as always hydrate! (Yes, even bagels taste better with a sip  of water.) 

Your friend, 

Shaili 

P.S. What’s your go-to bagel order? (Mine is Asiago bagel with jalapeño cream cheese)