One of the most controversial studying habits has always been whether listening to music helps or hurts the overall progress. Walking around any library, classroom, or study space, many students are jamming to music in their earbuds while trying to get work done on their laptops. Does this help them to retain more information or does this hurt them? This basic studying habit raises many questions, let’s see what a professor and an Academy girl has to say about it.

Many professors who studied the effect of music on the brain say that music in general is not harmful, as long as it is the right kind. Music without lyrics, specifically classical music, is the most beneficial with any subject because it calms the brain and prevents any distractions from outside notices. In subjects that do not use the language part of the brain, like math, lyrics do not affect the amount of success from the specific time spent studying.

Sophomore Katherine Hahn listens to music frequently in school but varies the category saying “When I am doing homework I usually listen to alternative, or sometimes classical depending on the subject. Other times I listen to rap and other genres when I want to pump myself up.” Plenty of students share this mindset that does not only listen to a single category while studying, but there are some who prefer to cut music out entirely while working on particular subjects. Freshman Morgan Farrior listens to music while working on math and science but “can’t concentrate when reading and listening to music because there are many different words I am hearing at once.”

Music can have a large impact to a student’s mood and studying effectiveness if handled the right way. Another big factor in success while combining music and studying is the individual’s ability to multitask. Senior Maddie Bales thinks “music helps with studying vocabulary for English and foreign language” so she is able to handle a background melody while utilizing the language portion of her brain.

Music without lyrics is most encouraged because it gives a consistent tune in the background while hitting the books, but this can differ between particular people. Some can listen to their favorite hits while reading, while others are unable to listen to anything even when doing math. The most important element when deciding whether to pop in those earbuds and study is to find out what works for each individual and use it to the best of their ability.