Some students say listening to music while working on school assignments and projects is helpful. While listening to music can be effective for some, it can be distracting and unproductive for others.
According to Dr. Marsha Godkin at the National University, music can help us focus on our learning. “Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time,” she says, “and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.” Music can also help you with other things while studying. The Healthline Medical Network says, “The pros are music can reduce stress and improve mood, increase motivation, increase focus and improve memorization.”
Despite these positive effects, listening to music may also negatively affect how well some learn. Some experts say that it can negatively affect memory and lower comprehension. According to Frontiers, “to be able to simultaneously deal with the learning material and the background music, the learner’s working memory capacity is a crucial factor to consider.” So if you get distracted easily while working or if you really want to focus, try not to use music as a tool.
If you like listening to music, some genres are better for studying. A study from Vaughn College says that the top genres that help you focus include classical, soft, or light E.D.M. and film or video game scores because there are no words to distract you.
The Healthline Medical Network also has helpful tips like keeping music at a lower volume and sticking to songs you know. The most important thing to remember is to use whatever helps you concentrate while working.
