With the fall semester officially coming into full swing, many study habits have returned: the good and the bad. Whether you are the type of student to stay on top of things 24/7 or you cram the night before a big exam, we all have our tendencies when it comes to academics. A common inclination for many students is the use of background music with studying. The question is, does listening to music provide focus or distraction? While many argue that this is up to personal opinion, looking from a scientific viewpoint can provide an answer.
Many use listening to music as a way to increase focus while studying, and Dr. Masha Godkin of National University says science backs this up. As stated by the professor, “music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.” Specifically, music can change the state of our brainwaves, affecting blood pressure, heart rate and mood. Nonetheless, this heavily depends on the genre of music you listen to. It is suggested to listen to music that will not cause distractions, but also keep the listener engaged. Some examples of these genres are jazz, lofi hip hop, classical or even nature sounds. Other factors like volume, tempo and lyrics play a factor in focus.
However, there can be some limitations to listening to music while studying. Working memory capacity is the ability to retain information temporarily and it is essential for studying. According to a study done by the National Library of Medicine, “auditive information is always processed first.” Therefore, music, especially songs with lyrics, are processed first, lessening the working memory capacity for the information trying to be memorized or studied. While instrumental music does not need as much processing, there is still somewhat of a burden, especially for those with a lower working memory capacity.
It is clear that listening to music is a popular study method for a reason. While there are some shortcomings, the effectiveness of studying with music truly does depend on the person. Experiment with the genres of music you listen to and the nature of what you are studying while listening to find what best fits for you.
