When studying for an exam, many of us like to have music playing while we do so, but is it actually helping us with our revision? There is a lot that goes into deciding which is the best music for studying but what works for some students may not work with others. While some may need music to help them focus, others may prefer to study in silence. However, if music does help you focus better, here are some interesting tips on how to choose the best study music.
Does music help you study?
The short answer is yes – at least it does for most people. Global studies have found that the majority of students find it easier to study with something playing in the background than doing so in complete silence. Is this simply a matter of correlation, rather than causation, or is there more to it? Although many students might not think twice on which is the best study music to play while they revise, there is certain music that is better than others for memory, focus, and concentration, such as classical music.
How does music help you study?
Let’s get one thing straight – music (particularly classical music) will not make you smarter. This is a common misconception known as the Mozart Effect that was popularised in the 1990s but likely has its roots further back than that. No, the reason music helps you study is because of how your brain reacts to it. Choosing the best study music to listen to can help students concentrate more, sleep better, and effectively de-stress.
- It puts you in a positive mood
Music has been shown to improve a person’s mood by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter that instils feelings of excitement and happiness. Studies show that a positive mood can make you better at problem-solving when compared to a negative mood. So, when choosing the best music for studying, think about which artists and songs put you in a good mood!
- It can help reduce stress levels
A lot of people tend to listen to music to help them relax. Studies into music’s influence on the brain have shown that relaxing music lowers a person’s cortisol levels when listened to. Cortisol is one of several hormones responsible for feelings of anxiety and stress. Reduced levels of stress while studying allows students to focus more, be more productive, and have better recall.
- It helps improve sleep patterns
The last thing that students need during their coursework and exam prep is a poor night’s sleep. Being tired impacts our concentration and productivity levels and therefore impacts our ability to learn. While relaxing music can help reduce stress, it can also help improve sleep too. A regular, sustained sleep pattern leads to more productive studying the following day.
What exactly is the best music for studying?
With the huge increase of digital music sales in the UK compared to physical music over the years, more and more people are able to listen to a wide range of digital tracks than ever before. Whether you’re studying at home, on your commute, or at your local coffee shop, it’s so easy to access your favourite music for studying these days.
The best study music to listen to when revising is something that is not going to distract you from the task at hand. Classical music is commonly cited as an effective study tool, but it has nothing to do with the genre’s supposed worthiness as an art form. Classical music tends to be instrumental in nature, with many of the most popular classical pieces being lengthy compositions. Both of these qualities help make classical music a good choice of study music. It acts as a backdrop to your revision – with no lyrics to concentrate on or sudden track changes, there is nothing to pull you out of your studies.
If you’re wondering which is the music for studying but don’t like classical music, there are many other music genres that are effective too. Jazz shares many qualities with classical music, being largely instrumental and long-form in nature. The same can be said for many film scores. Many progressive rock bands from the 60s and 70s also produced epic instrumentals and 30-minute or more jam sessions. All of these are excellent choices and offer a range of styles and genres, depending on your individual tastes.
What sort of music is bad for studying?
It’s clear that there is a range of music genres that make up the best study music to listen to, but what are some of the bad music choices? Bad choices for study music include anything with fast intricate lyrics, staccato rhythms, and short track lengths. These three things combined create a poor backdrop for revision, as you’re unable to treat it as background music. Your mind, even subconsciously, is trying to follow the lyrics and/or the beat, while persistent track changes pull you out of your study as you anticipate the start of the next song.
This means that when picking the best music for studying, genres like rap, punk, and the various iterations of thrash and death metal are unlikely to lead to effective study practices. High octane dance music like jungle or drum n’ bass are also going to cause problems. This is not an indictment against the merits of any of those genres – merely an acknowledgement that they are likely to be more intrusive on your study time than something that is more restrained.
