Syncing music and studies

KSC community says music can either help or distract them while studying

With the semester mid-point approaching in the next few weeks, it is only a matter of time before study habits begin to kick in. Some students need a certain environment to enhance their focus while others need certain sounds. Listening to music while studying is one technique students have different opinions on.

The effectiveness of the use of music while studying has been debated by various institutions and universities over time. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether or not music helps students and their attentiveness to their work. Some believe it can help students with motivation toward their assignment, while others suggest it may do just the opposite.

A definitive result seems to be inconclusive, as the general consensus seems to be that the effectiveness of music depends on the student and his or her study habits. “It depends on the difficulty level of the assignment and if I need certain motivation,” Communication major, Timothy Gagnon, said. “I usually don’t listen to music when I’m working on subjects I’m not too great at or require a lot of attention,” Gagnon added.

Heather Aldrich, a health science major, said she finds difficulty in being able to listen to music while studying, as it often diverts her attention.  “I listen to slow and emotional music and I like to experience it,” Aldrich said. “I feel bad letting the song play if I’m not paying attention to it.” The dilemma of using music while studying is even something professors face.

Erin D’Aleo / Graphics Editor

Dr. Jamie Landau, a communication professor, expressed that she personally uses music with her Pandora account.

“I usually listen to music when I’m researching and writing, not when I’m doing course prep or administrative tasks,” Dr. Landau said. “I think students should do anything that makes studying, writing, thinking [and] researching enjoyable; to enhance it with something that you love will make the process and end product that much better,” Landau added. Yet, even when music is used as a study tool, the type of music can be an important factor in the student’s ability to focus. Genres and styles may differ depending on the student’s study preferences.

“I listen to slow-building instrumental music,” Gagnon said. “It can’t be anything with vocals.”

Aldrich added that lyrics often add too many words for her to be able to concentrate on homework, particularly when writing.  “I’ll think of the words that I want to write for the paper, and then I’ll start writing the words of the song that I’m listening to,” Aldrich said.

Dr. Landau also expressed that she primarily listens to instrumental music or music with softer tones.

“I don’t think it should be distracting or make you want to sing along, because I’ve tried that with other kinds of music and it diverts me away from my research. But the kind of music that doesn’t distract may be different for different people,” Landau said.

Anthony Munoz can be reached at amunoz@keene-equinox.com