Music is one of the most beloved and cherished forms of art, accompanying us in our daily lives, workplaces, educational experiences and so much more. Students studying in the library with headphones on is a common sight. Many believe that music helps them get inspired to focus on their study material, enhances their learning abilities and makes the overall experience as enjoyable as it can be. Listening to music while studying is a universal practice, but what does research say about its impact on our cognitive performance?
Many individuals, myself included, believe that listening to calming music promotes a sense of peacefulness and helps with stress and anxiety reduction. Research supports this belief by showing that music can positively influence cognitive functions such as memory. It may play a role in stress reduction and improve mood regulation, helping individuals feel better, which in turn can positively affect work performance. Furthermore, research shows that music can activate reward centers in the brain and trigger the release of dopamine, which is linked to focus, mood enhancement and motivation, improving one’s mental health.
However, listening to music can also increase cognitive load and divide attention, making it more difficult to fully focus on studying and learning. Depending on the task’s difficulty, music may hinder performance due to divided attention on complex tasks while facilitating performance on simpler tasks. It was found that music with lyrics, in particular, can be disruptive and may interfere with processing written text while reading. In contrast, listening to instrumental music while reading did not have such a drastic effect, which highlights the possibility that music with lyrics may be disruptive for studying.
Overall, listening to music while studying can be beneficial, as it may foster a more peaceful and serene environment, positively affecting one’s mood and reducing stress levels. However, it is also important to be mindful of the possibility of getting distracted and assess whether your learning is negatively impacted or enhanced by the presence of music.
Happy studying!
—
Featured Image: A pair of wireless earbuds rest on a white laptop keyboard, with a document open on the screen, creating a focused and immersive study atmosphere. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
