Music For Thought

Girl, put your records on. Tell me your favorite study song.

STORY: Katie Kennedy PHOTO: Gianna Horvath DESIGN: Liam Aquininog

What should you listen to while you are studying? Experts say any music with little to no lyrics is best. Beethoven, Bach and Mozart are excellent choices for concentrating. Low-fi hip-hop and electronic dance music, or EDM, are other options for a night of studying. No matter what music you enjoy, it is likely beneficial to you and your studying habits.

Here are five ways music can help you cram for your next exam.

Memorization

Music can help with memorization. According to a 2015 Harvard article, the part of the brain associated with memory is activated while listening to music. Two recent studies found higher test scores for those that spent time listening to music.

Mood

Music puts you in a better mood. According to the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, a United Kingdom study found music served as a mood boost for those with dementia. Music can also cause the brain to release dopamine. “Research has found that when a subject listens to music that gives them the chills, it triggers a release of dopamine to the brain,” according to an SCL Health article. Brain Function

Music can increase brain function. According to a USA Today article, “Background music may enhance performance on cognitive tasks.” A past study showed that more test questions were answered correctly while listening to music.

Test Anxiety

If you’re stressed about the exam you’re studying for, try listening to music to ease your mind. Music can cause relief of test anxiety. The USA Today article also stated that one study found music’s effect on anxiety is like the equivalent of getting a massage. Another study found people who listened to calming music while undergoing surgery had lower blood pressure.

Focus

Music can help with focusing. A Stanford study found that “music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention.” The research team used brain images of people listening to “short symphonies” and found that music can help with an essential study technique, categorizing information. TU SK