Should You Listen To Music While Studying?

I have something to confess: I am addicted to listening to music. Ever since I got a premium membership to Spotify, I have been listening to music all day. It seems like every spare moment I have, I’m pulling out my headphones to find the perfect playlist to suit my mood. As a student, school occupies the majority of my time. So how do I find the time to listen to my beloved music? Well, a work period or study time seem like the perfect opportunity. But I always wonder, how exactly does music affect my learning process? Would it be better if I just pulled out a pair of noise-cancelling headphones?  

  According to studies, listening to music while studying actually has many benefits. For one, it can relax you. Most commonly used is classical music, but I’ve found that any kind of heavily instrumental and mellow music seems to motivate me yet calm my nerves at the same time. But sometimes, I get the urge to listen to some of my favourite songs, the ones with the words I know will be stuck in my head all day. Sure, it makes studying fun, but is it even studying if your brain is preoccupied, bracing itself for the chorus? Those catchy pop songs might not be such a good idea when you’re trying to remember that really important formula and “thank you, next” is the only thing occupying your brain.

     As well, music like rap and rock with a fast tempo can potentially add to your stress, as they may cause your heart rate to rise, making it harder to focus. According to the “Mozart Affect” the positive reactions and focus from the music lasts for a short period of 15 minutes. After that, your attention will likely go elsewhere. For example, have you ever noticed you can remember the lyrics to songs you’ve only heard a couple times, but you can’t recite what you wrote on your Biology exam last year? Music imprints itself on our brains, whether we like it or not, and it may even occupy precious memory storage we need to get those grades we care so much about.

    My motto has always been “work smarter,” not harder, so find out what works for you! If your study songs bring out your inner mathematician, go for it. If the thought of studying without music is boring, try taking breaks and listening to some motivational music while doing something else productive. This in turn can lead to better outcomes in your studying. And if it feels like you’re sitting down to study for hours and not retaining information at all, it may be best to give the headphones a rest. Some good old peace and quiet can never hurt, and you’ll have less distractions occupying your brain space.