“Why do you have your AirPods in?” 

“It helps me concentrate.” 

This simple exchange heard around school summarizes how some students regard the relationship between listening to music and studying. While some students believe that music can enhance focus and productivity while studying, others link music to distraction. So does listening to music really help you study? 

The answer to this question lies somewhere in between, as the effect of music depends on factors like the person, the type of music, and the task at hand. 

The effectiveness of music depends heavily on individual preferences. Some people enjoy listening to music while studying because they feel like it motivates them, and enhances their learning experience. This feeling isn’t entirely subjective as it is backed up by studies that link maximized learning to listening to music. On the other hand, some people feel that music is too distracting for them, diverting attention away from the task at hand. This feeling is also backed up by research that recognizes people utilize their “working memory” when studying. This means that people are holding and manipulating several bits of information in their heads at once. This research states that when there’s music in the background, and especially music with vocals, our working memory gets worse; making it hard to concentrate and grasp information fully. Research both supports and refutes the use of music while studying and the effectiveness relies mostly on the individual’s preferences. 

The type of music being listened to also plays a significant role in its impact on studying. University of Arizona researchers recommend listening to minimalist, classical, piano, and low-fi music while studying, reading, or writing. They typically have a constant beat and subtle, simple melodies. On the other hand, lyrical music is the worst type to listen to when studying. The flow of many words can be confusing and affect memorization, particularly when reading. Rock and punk music are examples of heavy music that can negatively impact mood and reading comprehension, making it more difficult to concentrate.

Finally, the nature of the task being performed while listening to music influences its effectiveness. For tasks that require deep concentration, like reading and analyzing packed academic texts or solving complex problems, silence, light background noise or instrumental music may be more beneficial. This is because the person studying can still fully engage their cognitive resources without distraction. However, for tasks like copying notes or organizing information (which are usually repetitive and mundane), listening to music can be a powerful tool that helps maintain focus and motivation by providing extra stimulation to the brain.

The debate surrounding the impact of music on studying is multifaceted and highly individualized. While some students believe that music helps them concentrate and stay motivated during study sessions, others believe that music is a distraction that makes it difficult for them to focus. Both points of view are supported by research, which highlights the significance of taking into account elements including individual tastes, the kind of music being listened to, and the nature of the work at hand.