Does Music Really Help You Study Better?
Do you listen to music while you study, or do you prefer total silence? The jury is out on which is better since everyone is different; however, several research studies are proving that listening to the right kind of music can put your mind into study mode. If you don’t fancy using a streaming service, then YouTube is going to be your new best friend when it comes to finding these kinds of tunes.
Just like everyone has different study methods, one person’s music preference may not work for another. Volume is a major factor as well, as listening to loud music is much more likely to be distracting, regardless of genre. When it’s crunch time and you’re burning the midnight oil, try listening to Baroque classical music. Composers such as Bach, Vivaldi and Handel are known for their up-beat music composed of 60 beats-per-minute.
For instance, many widely touted studies on the subject have been conducted with very small sample sizes—some with only eight to 20 participants. That makes it hard to generate reliable or practical conclusions about the effects of listening to music while studying when talking about the wider population. Plus, any given study only considers a few of the many possible variables at play. It's worth experimenting to find out what kind of music helps you focus. I personally can't listen to any music, regardless of style or tempo, that has lyrics. I just get too caught up in the words and can't concentrate on the task at hand.
Not only will it help you concentrate on your studies, it will also help keep stress at bay and put you in the learning mood. Some studies show that listening to classical music while studying can actually help you retain the information better. Most classical music doesn't have lyrics, so there's less chance of it being a distraction.
Ambient and electronic music is easy to find – just type in exactly what you’re looking for, and we’re sure dozens of examples will be immediately at your fingertips. It’s likely that you’ll be restricted by a fairly tight budget during your studies. As such, it’s never a bad idea to source this kind of music from websites offering free online streaming services. Soma.fm does this very well indeed, as do services like Spotify, Digitally Imported and others besides.
A great way to help you survive the endless and torturous hours of studying is with music. Music can make studying go by quicker and help with maintaining your focus. The type of music you should listen to completely depends on your interest, and what kind of work you are doing! If I have to do some intense studying or if I’m reading a book for homework, I will usually play some soft instrumental music, classical music, or acoustic songs.
Students who revised while listening to music without lyrics did better than those who had revised to music with lyrics. While having its origins from various parts of the American continent, bossa nova and jazz are often quite similar. The birth of bossa nova was inspired by the jazz tradition, which came from African-American music. However, bossa nova adds its own Brazilian twist by combining jazz with the syncopations of samba.
Jazz also boots brain creativity when listened to moderate noise. The little ‘distraction’ by the music helps the brain to process more in terms of music and the topic the student is studying. This encourages the brain to do abstract processing, which leads to better creativity. Rock music has a fast tempo which helps release positive energy that stimulates the brain so that the student becomes more attentive and can study more hours.
If your student is an evening or night studier, it’s important to make sure he or she is still getting enough sleep each night. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 53 percent of teens 12 to 17 do something else while studying. At 87 percent, listening to music was the most popular side activity for those who balanced studying with another activity. What might at first glance seem harmelss, doing homework or studying while watching TV, texting or checking social media can actually impair learning the material as well as lower test scores. Research has shown that it’s one of the worst study habits a student can develop. Lofi’s simplicity and ability to help listeners focus are some of its main selling points.
Much like everybody has Stress Relief Music various methods of analysis, one person’s music taste cannot fit with another. Volume often plays a significant role, because exposure to louder music becomes more prone to disrupt, irrespective of genre. So, the next time you need to plow through a mountain of paperwork or stay focused on a task, try turning on your favorite tunes. Either way, you don't have to spend money in order to give binaural beats a try. Check out various kinds of ethnic, folk, and indigenous music from around the world. From India to Australia to the Caribbean, the diversity of styles is extraordinary.