Let’s be real: studying is the dreaded to-do that tops every student’s list. There are many varying techniques that help students study. For some, it involves writing notecards or doing practice problems. For others, it means color-coding notes. Research has shown that listening to music while studying activates both the left and right side of the brain, thus maximizing learning and improving memorization.
While every student has different study habits, music can help with the everyday distractions of a wondering mind or just being in a noisy place, whether it be a café, a common room or anywhere on a college or high school campus.
According to an article on Study.com, there are positive effects as well as negative effects to listening to music while studying.
Some positive effects are that music can be relaxing and can help students overcome stress or anxiety while studying.
Background music can improve focus and allow for better motivation as well as improve endurance during a long study session.
Sometimes, music can help with memorizing information and can create a positive mood.
Some negative effects are that if a student listens to music that have lyrics while doing homework or studying that entails reading or writing, it can cause the student to be less efficient and not learn as much information.
If a student is listening to loud music, it can make focusing harder and have unfavorable effects on reading comprehension.
The type of music that is listened to can range from country to pop to rock to classical and everything in between.
Christine Pickard, a junior psychology major, sometimes listens to music while she studies. Pickard varies the music she listens to. The music can range from pop to whatever is currently trending on the music charts. Pickard also finds that it can be helpful if she is in a noisy area, as music allows her to focus on what she is working on.
“I tend to perform the same or even better if I do [listen to music] on a test,” Pickard said.
Breanne Naegele is a sophomore biology major. She sometimes listens to classical music while she is memorizing information but will not listen to music while she is studying new concepts so that way she can focus on the concept.
Although Naegele does not always listen to music, she finds that classical music helps her concentrate more because it is repetitive. She also finds that it helps her do better on tests because it limits the amount of distractions and stops her mind from wondering.
Even though music can be a great motivator, it does not help every student.
Emily Kreiswirth, a freshman social work major, does not listen to music while studying but finds other ways to help her succeed on tests.
Kreiswirth writes flashcards when she has to learn vocabulary, but when it comes to focusing on what is on a test, she finds that rewriting the information is helpful while not listening to music.
“I rewrite everything I need to know,” Kreiswirth said.
