Does Music Help Study?
If you’re struggling to concentrate, music could be the key to unlocking your academic potential!!
The Benefits of Using Music as a Study Aid
Before reaching for your headphones, it’s worth noting that everyone responds to music differently. Some students thrive in total silence, while others use music as a source of motivation. The benefits of listening to music while you study will depend on your unique response to audible stimulus. If you struggle to concentrate in noisy environments, the greatest benefit of listening to music during study sessions is that it drowns out annoying sounds. Rather than putting up with background noise, simply plug in your headphones and let the rest of the world fade away while you study.
Not sure what type of music will help you focus on your uni work? As a general rule, opt for soothing, instrumental sounds (some people find that listening to music with lyrics can interfere with study comprehension). From Mozart to modern ambient music, filling your study playlist with calming tracks is a great way to minimise distractions and prolong your study endurance. Experimenting with different genres will help you identify a style of music that maximises your productivity levels.
Music and Emotions
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, music can help you reach a more relaxed state of mind while you study. Music eases negative emotions by acting as a natural mood booster, so you won’t feel as weighed down by looming deadlines or pre-exam nerves.
Similarly to meditation, putting on a soothing song can interrupt the vicious cycle of self-doubt, worry and fear, allowing you to to refocus your attention on the sound and rhythm of the music. In addition to warding off anxiety, music can also improve your memory – research has found that listening to downbeat music strengthens your brain’s ability to retain information.
Avoiding Musical Dependency
There’s nothing wrong with using music as a study aid, but you should still be able to concentrate without the soothing sounds of Beethoven in your ears. You might not always be able to listen to music in situations where you need to concentrate, so it’s important you retain the ability to function without it. Try alternating between using music as a study aid and doing uni work without it to avoid becoming too dependent.
Also be sure to consider the effects that listening to music can have on your physical health. Be kind to your ears by keeping the volume turned down, as listening to loud music for long periods can permanently damage your hearing.
With or without music, you won’t have any trouble concentrating on your studies at UniLodge’s student accommodation. Designed especially for students, our apartments provide the perfect environment for productive study sessions.
Browse our student accommodation to find a place to live near your university.