Pros and cons of listening to music while studying
Find what works for you
Research shows both advantages and disadvantages to listening to music while you study.
Does music make you study better? Research shows both advantages and disadvantages to listening to music while you study. Certain factors, such as the type of music you listen to, can influence whether it will be a beneficial or disruptive force for learning.Aletta Ackerman - a music teacher at Windhoek Afrikaans Private School (WAP) who often teaches music to learners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning impediments - explains that listening to music while studying can be a good idea, although there are many factors to consider.
“Listening to music can help you focus better and reduce stress while studying, but can also easily distract you from taking in information effectively.”
She explained that certain types of music work better with certain subjects. “The type of music you might listen to while studying math and language could be different because they activate different parts of the brain. I would recommend listening to calmer music, usually without words, or maybe you just want silence - it’s about finding out what works best for you.”
Be mindful
Launa Moolman, an active citizenry teacher for grades eight to 12 at WAP, said it is important to ensure that music use does not interfere with classroom dynamics or the leaner's ability to fully engage with the material.
“I encourage learners to be mindful of what type of music they choose and when it's appropriate to listen to it. The goal is always to create an environment that promotes focus and learning for everyone.”
She added that research shows that certain types of music, particularly instrumental or classical music, can help some learners focus better, especially in creative or repetitive tasks.
Another commonly cited study regarding the effects of music on concentration and learning is by Teresa Lesiuk (2005), which found that workers who listened to music completed tasks more quickly and came up with better ideas than those who did not, especially when listening to music they enjoy. The study suggested that music can positively affect mood, leading to improved focus and creativity during repetitive or mundane tasks.
Deep focus
Karmi Müller, the top academic achiever of the Namibia Private School Association's IEB International Senior Certificate in 2023, said she prefers listening to music when she studies, especially for subjects like math. “It puts me into a very deep focus and ensures that I don’t get distracted easily, thus being able to get more work done.”
Janke du Plessis, who ranked eighth among the top academic achievers of the 2023 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary level, said listening to music while studying is beneficial. “Music keeps me focused and cancels out external noise from my surroundings. However, I do not use music to which I know the lyrics because then I get distracted.”
It is important to note that listening to music with lyrics can impair performance in tasks requiring verbal or cognitive focus. So, while instrumental music might aid concentration, lyrical music could be distracting.