Music is something that is seen as essential by most people. It has the remarkable ability to reduce stress, elevate one’s mood and transforms the tiring study space into a zone of peace and comfortability. It helps drown out background noise fostering for focus which is essential to study effectively. Science has shown listening to music results in the release of music and provides a motivation to keep working hard(something we could all use.)
As I enter deeper into the intimidating nature of year 11 with the imminent GCSEs being the only thing I can think about, a feeling many others in year 11 share, I continue to ponder the question whether music is beneficial to studying. The real answer is there is no definite answer. Just like revision techniques each individual person has their own strengths and weaknesses like how listening to music may not always be helpful. I have come across many people who find it distracting and difficult to concentrate while listening to music.
What do we need to be careful of?
When listening to music while working or studying we need to ensure we don’t make certain mistakes which may jeopardise our learning habitat. The main thing is to listen to something that you are used to. By trying something new your focus will shift to trying to understand the new song, decide whether it is good and possibly sing along to it. Another thing is to try listen to quiet music with no lyrics. Those who listen to music with lyrics tend to be less absorbed and focuses while loud agitating music could also have the same effect. With every technique, each method of focusing, this journey of studying and relentlessly revising has taught me is that the main thing we need to take from this is that what works for someone else will not always work for you.
