Studies show multitasking is not a capability for humans, which means music while you are studying may be more harmful than helpful. Yet, many students see music as the complete opposite, where they may actually need music to get their homework done. To test out if music is truly a distracter, and what about music is actually distracting, a few girls here at BASH were interviewed to get their thoughts on how music affects their studies.
Multiple science sites discuss that music with words, especially during assignments such as reading and writing, can make your homework session less efficient. With regards to asking students if music with words hinder their focus, both Taylor Rosen, a junior, and Lexi Giampietro, a sophomore, said how it was harder to focus. On the other hand, Kate Wenerowicz, a junior, said, “No, I was studying like that the other day.” To an extent, lyrics could definitely be some kind of mental block to many. But to others, they may be able to use it to focus on their work.
Studies show that mimicking exam conditions when you’re studying, such as studying in a quiet room, makes it easier to recall information since you are in the same conditions. This would mean to put the music aside and study in a quiet space. Yet, the responses of fellow peers did not all agree with that statement. Lexi Giampietro, 10th, said, “Yes, I think so.” But Taylor Rosen, 11th, says, “It doesn’t make a difference.” This may be true, but it seems to really depend on certain people’s learning styles.
Volume seems to be a large factor for people when they are studying. Some scientists say the louder the music, the more it may agitate a person’s brain making it harder to study, while quieter music may be relaxing. Once again, student responses were varied on how loud they need music to be when studying. Taylor Rosen, junior, said, “The louder the better, it drowns everything else out,”. Where Laura Willing, sophomore, said, “It needs to be quiet, like one notch above all the way down.” Volume can be a great factor since it really can put you in a different mental space whether it’s quiet and relaxing, or loud and where you can really only focus of one thing.
To make oneself more comfortable while he or she is studying, it is said to play familiar background noises, which could mean the sound of people talking, sounds of typing, or the sounds of a coffee shop. That is said to actually be less distracting and even bring a sense of excitement to your studies. Yet some background noises mean music for people, and turning down any other noise. Kate Wenerowicz, 11th, said “I don’t like people talking, it’s gotta be music.” Taylor Rosen, 11th, said, “I only want the music.” Instead of “familiar” everyday noises for some people, background noises can actually be way more distracting.
Just for fun, the interviewee’s were asked about what music they like to listen to while studying. Lexi Giampietro, 10th, said how she enjoyed varied music but really likes musicals including Hamilton. Kate Wenerowicz, 11th, said she enjoyed pop music, especially Taylor Swift. Taylor Rosen, 11th, explained how she was sold fully on country. Laura Willing, 10th, described her taste mostly in slow pop, including Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, and artists like that.
In short, music can mean a lot of things to different people. For some it may be for relaxation to take the stress off homework, and for others it may be a must to drown out the world around them. Studies show for the most part music is a huge distracter, but some seem to just need music to get them through their studies.
