How Music Can Help With Studying

Studying isn’t exactly something every student looks forward to. One way to make it more palatable for many people is to include some tunes to help the time pass a little more enjoyably! But what are the benefits of studying with music? Is there evidence behind how music can help with studying? Is music just an excuse to help your student goof off while they’re supposed to be learning?!

These are important questions – and they have answers. A lot of research has been done about the connection between studying and music. The good news is, if you’ve got a student struggling with creating good study habits, music may be just what they need to have a breakthrough.

Not all music is created equal when it comes to studying, however. That’s why it’s important to understand exactly how music can help with studying and what kind of music will help strike a balance between learning and fun. Read on to find out what you need to know about listening to music while studying.

Does Music Help You Study?
Is it good to listen to music while studying? Absolutely! Music has several benefits for the brain. When you listen to music, it can help to relieve anxiety, enhance cognitive growth, enhance the immune system, and improve your focus as well as your memory – which makes it a perfect study tool.

The link between music and memory is pretty fascinating as well. Think about it: when you hear a song that’s special to you, it transports you back to the time in your life when you first heard it and committed it to memory. Or how about when you hear a song for the first time in years and can easily recall all the lyrics?

This occurs because the human brain is wired in a way that links music with long-term memory. Studies have found that music memory is stored in parts of the brain that can’t be degraded by age or disease. That’s why Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can recall songs when they seem to have trouble recalling other things.

Plus, the brain’s ability to recall information from different points in time has been shown to be benefited from background music. Several studies have shown that listening to certain types of music, such as classical music, can help a person retain information and improve memory.

The Advantages of Listening to Music While Studying
There are several benefits to listening to music while studying, aside from the apparent positive impact it can have on memory. Studies have found that listening to music while studying also:

• Helps motivate you – You know that music can help to pump you up when you’re hitting the gym or cleaning the house, but it can do the same when you’re gearing up for a study session. The brain associates music with positive things, so listening to your favorite tunes as you gear up to study can give you the boost you need.
• Improves your mood – Throwing on some upbeat music can help you to feel better and give your mood a boost. This can help you to stay on task while studying.
• Help memorization – You can boost your memory with a little music because it helps to reduce stress and enhance cognition.
• Improve focus – It can be tough to stay focused while studying, but music can help. Believe it or not, choosing some upbeat music can keep your mind from wandering too far.

What Kind of Music Helps You Concentrate?
It’s vital to understand that not all music is created equal when it comes to studying. Using someone else’s study playlist may not work well for you – the key is to find the right sound that suits your type of studying.

In general, you should use these tips to help you find the best music for study sessions:

• Choose music without lyrics – When studying, it’s a good idea to avoid music with lyrics (or to choose music with lyrics in a language you don’t understand). Lyrics can be distracting for a lot of people when they’re trying to concentrate, particularly on tasks that involve reading.
• Lean towards slower music – Instrumental music that’s on the slower side, such as classical music, is best. If that isn’t appealing, then soft space, ambient, or electronic tunes can fit the bill (you know, the type of music you may encounter in a spa!).
• Stay away from experimental – You want music that has a fixed rhythm and doesn’t include abrupt changes in tempo. Experimental music or music with surprises in it can serve to distract your brain instead of helping it to focus.
• Stay neutral – It’s also a good idea to stay away from songs that invoke strong feelings. So, instead of queuing up music that you really love or hate, go for something decidedly neutral.
• Stay away from commercials – Commercials will fall into the distraction category while studying, so create a playlist that won’t derail your thoughts with these interludes.

Music can help you and your students tackle important tasks on your to-do list, but it’s not a study tool that suits every person. Even someone who loves music may not find it helpful for studying, and that’s OK.

If you do find it helpful, make sure to choose music that will maximize the benefits, and if you’re still struggling, be sure to incorporate other good study habits such as taking frequent breaks and creating a study space that helps increase focus.

Featured image by Ben Mullins on Unsplash