As a teacher, you may have heard students say that they study better with music playing in the background. While some may see it as a distraction, recent research suggests that listening to music while studying can actually put your brain in the right frame of mind for learning. That's right, students, you no longer have to choose between your favorite tunes and your textbooks!
Benefits of Studying to Sounds
It turns out that music has more to offer than just great beats and catchy lyrics. Here are some benefits of studying to music:
- Increases focus and productivity: Music can get those brain juices flowing and increase focus and productivity. When we listen to music, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. This can help you stay focused and alert, which are essential for studying.
- Enhances creativity: Feeling stuck? Music can be a great way to unlock your creativity. Listening to music while studying can help you approach problems in new and innovative ways, which can be especially helpful for subjects that require a lot of critical thinking.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Say goodbye to those pre-exam jitters! Listening to calming music before a test or exam can help reduce anxiety and improve test scores. So, go ahead and create that relaxing playlist!
- Improves memory retention and recall: Music can help you remember and recall information more effectively. Classical music, in particular, has been found to enhance cognitive abilities such as memory and attention. So, next time you're struggling to remember a fact, try listening to some Mozart.
- Helps to establish a positive study environment: A positive study environment can make all the difference in your study session. Music can create a positive study environment, making it more enjoyable and less tedious. It can also help drown out background noise and distractions, allowing you to focus more easily.
- Enhances cognitive abilities such as attention and processing speed: Music can help improve cognitive abilities such as attention and processing speed, making it easier for you to understand and retain information. In other words, it can help you become a lean, mean studying machine!
"As a teacher, it can be pretty tough to keep a bunch of energetic kids on task. But ever since I started playing Sleep Sounds during lessons, my students are way more productive and attentive than ever before!"
Best Genres to Study to
Now that you're sold on the benefits of studying to music, you may be wondering what genre is best. Avoid songs with lyrics as they can be distracting and interfere with your ability to concentrate. Instead, instrumental music or music with minimal lyrics, such as ambient or electronic music, is a better choice for studying. Here are some of the best genres to study to:
Classical music: Classical music is a popular choice for studying as it has been found to enhance cognitive abilities such as memory and attention. The complex and structured nature of classical music can also improve your ability to process and retain information.
Ambient music: Ambient music is a genre of music that is designed to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. It is often used in meditation and relaxation practices and can be an excellent choice for students looking to reduce stress and anxiety while studying. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, turn up the ambient tunes and let the stress melt away.
Instrumental music: Instrumental music is a genre of music that is designed to be listened to without vocals. It can be a great choice for studying as it won't distract you with lyrics or catchy hooks. Instead, it provides a calming and consistent background sound that can help you stay focused and on task.
Studying to music can be an effective way to put your brain in the right frame of mind for learning. It can increase focus, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive abilities. However, it is important to choose the right type of music and be mindful of how it affects your individual learning style. So, go ahead and experiment with studying to music, find what works best for you, and enjoy the benefits!