Jan Fsicher / Staff reporter
Do you know the situation, when you don’t want to do your homework, but you have the great idea to listen to music because it makes the studying more interesting? More and more, students are bringing headphones with them to schools, libraries and study halls. But does it actually help to listen to music when studying?
Students probably do not like that it has been refuted, that listening to music could actually enhance intelligence, but there are still many benefits of listening to music while studying. For example Music that is soothing and relaxing can help students to beat stress or anxiety while studying. Moreover, background music may improve focus on a task by providing motivation and improving mood. During long study sessions, music can aid endurance. In some cases, students have found that music helps them with memorization, likely by creating a positive mood, which indirectly boosts memory formation.
And still, despite these benefits, studies have shown that music is often times more distracting than it is helpful. In fact, students who listen to music with lyrics while completing reading or writing tasks tend to be less efficient and come away having absorbed less information. Also Loud or agitated music can have adverse effects on reading comprehension and on mood, making focus more difficult. Students who use music to help them memorize sometimes need to listen to music while taking the test in order to reap the benefits of this study method. In the silent test-taking environment, these students may find it more difficult to recall the information.
In conclusion, the effects of music on study habits are dependent on the student and their style of learning. So if students consider themselves as easily distracted, they should most likely avoid music to keep their focus on their work. Conversely, students who function better as multi-taskers may find that music helps them to better concentrate.
Sources:
Music and Studying: It’s Complicated- healthline
The Benefits of Studying with Music – Florida National University
Don’t Listen to Music While Studying