Something is wrong with either your machine or whatever is controlling the switching. I have never, ever had anything like what you've mentioned and my system has been running for months on end as well. You sir, most likely have non-Windows related problems.
One can always "what if" the situation to weigh in favor of whichever side you want. It's that "significant" and "relevant to the job" that's the cheat in your example. Let's say the CS major had significant course projects that were relevant to the job as well or just drop the significant and relevant from the E Lit candidate.
My favorite is DCU Online. Mostly because it's completely fantasy (comics) oriented and you can go through all the levels completely without group gropes (although one would require a lot of grind). It also has a few mechanics built in like being able to slap players on ignore, leagues where you can find cooperative players (like clans) and making PvP play totally optional. True, some arena areas are restricted to groups of 4 or 8, but since you want to avoid team play, that's no real loss. On the other hand, some allow you to just walk in, and doing a team arena on your own (with a much higher level toon) can be very challenging.
Some good, some not so. TNG always had an undercurrent of wanting to 'fix' people. I really found Troi and crew obnoxious and disturbing. Picard never had any problems with assigning her to invading other minds.
Today is a good day for information-gathering. Read someone else's mail file.