Possible benefits of playing music while studying

Possible benefits of playing music while studying
New theories about music, brain connection shed light on academic rumors
By Darrington Clark

When walking down a hallway in Hale Library, it is not uncommon to see several students studying with headphones in their ears. Music seems to be a general companion to students completing homework, writing papers or even brainstorming ideas. Listening to music while working is usually criticized and is even punishable behavior, but studies conducted in several professional and university settings have proven that music can improve student study habits and learning.
Students will rarely listen to music while studying for its study-enhancing value. Shelby Wilson, sophomore in kinesiology, listens to music while studying to help her focus.
“Listening to music helps me,” Wilson said. “I listen to it when I’m reading and when I write. When I’m writing, I usually listen to oldies.”
The idea of music contributing to good grades has been under the scientific eye for quite some time. A July 31, 2010, Psychology Today article by William Klemm said that listening to music activates sound-to-meaning neurons in the brain, which jumpstarts other portions of the brain that allow for faster learning. Research in music response has also come with its share of failures, however.
“A few years ago there was that ‘Mozart Effect’ theory,” said Alfred Cochran, professor of music at K-State. “The theory that children grew smarter if you exposed them to Mozart music. Well, after a while we found that there was not truth to that.”
Cochran still noted that there was some connection that his students had to music that was possibly helping them succeed in school.
“I’ve had a number of architecture students,” Cochran said. “Those people listen to music all the time. They seem to have a good knowledge of wide arrays of music, because they listen to so much. And these are good students.”
Playing music while studying has also been proven to have scientific links with memory. Klemm’s Psychology Today article also states that the ability to remember the lyrics to hundreds of songs is directly related to storing academic information in the brain, and music can link those skills together.
“Engineering students also show this musical knowledge,” Cochran said. “I think there are certain majors that just have music as a constant companion. Architecture and engineering students show, in my experience, the ability to remember and recall music that they like, and explain it.”
Music and studying is not a method that works across the board, especially for college students. In 2006, eSchool News released an article that echoed the sentiments of many researchers at that time. The article said that the best studying technique is to be distraction-free, which included music. For some students, any multi-tasking at all could lead to a loss of focus. Still, some K-State students find that music gives them the exact opposite effect.
“Music definitely helps me focus,” said Adam Hanson, freshman in biology. “I listen to music for every subject I take. It helps me from becoming distracted.”
When it comes to what kinds of music students listen to, it’s best to go with things that won’t engross you too much.
“I listen to classical music mainly,” Hanson said. “Music that’s calm or songs that I don’t know the words to yet.”
Studies of the human brain and possible connections between music and learning still continue. Author Daniel J. Levitin has dipped into the subject with his books “The World in Six Songs” and the New York Times bestseller “This Is Your Brain On Music.” Levitin argues that humans’ affinity for music allowed them to survive, and at this point, everyone can find a practical connection with music.
“I’ve also had young mothers in my classes,” Cochran said. “And they tell me that their infants will respond, noticeably, to certain kinds of music. When a mother tells you those things, you believe it.”
As more information about music and its relationship to learning becomes available, students may want to consider using the strategy to help with especially difficult classes.
“The whole idea is very interesting,” Cochran said. “I look forward to research and learning more about how music helps us.”