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Listening to Music While Studying

Blogs > ProbeSaturation
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ProbeSaturation
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Canada292 Posts
October 10 2009 20:55 GMT
#1
I was in lecture a couple nights ago and my professor insisted that while doing readings, in this case, scientific readings, you should not listen to music because both use the same parts of the brain.

Personally, I've always been inclined to listen to music because silence itself can be distracting. However, it's mostly instrumentals, nothing that requires being attentive to lyrics.

I'm just wondering what you guys think about this subject. Do you listen to music when you study. Has it worked for you or do you find it disadvantageous. What do you listen to when you study? Rap? Classical? Trance? Soft rock?

micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24698 Posts
October 10 2009 21:01 GMT
#2
I like absolute silence when I concentrate, but I've noticed that younger generations are the opposite... I think it has to do with how you are brought up but I could be wrong.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Scorch
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Austria3371 Posts
October 10 2009 21:04 GMT
#3
I like Drum&Bass for studying. It has no distracting lyrics and uses the same recurring beat in every single track. I find it great as background music while studying or working.
Kaialynn
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States242 Posts
October 10 2009 21:05 GMT
#4
On October 11 2009 05:55 ProbeSaturation wrote:
I was in lecture a couple nights ago and my professor insisted that while doing readings, in this case, scientific readings, you should not listen to music because both use the same parts of the brain.

Personally, I've always been inclined to listen to music because silence itself can be distracting. However, it's mostly instrumentals, nothing that requires being attentive to lyrics.

I'm just wondering what you guys think about this subject. Do you listen to music when you study. Has it worked for you or do you find it disadvantageous. What do you listen to when you study? Rap? Classical? Trance? Soft rock?


I study so much better when I have Classical/15th Century Gothic Choir or Trance playing in the background.

HOWEVER

Anything else and I study worse. A lot worse.
R u for rela?
UFO
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
582 Posts
October 10 2009 21:12 GMT
#5
I like learning in slience is better , I`m albe to concentrate more easily that way ^^

I believe things like music do take your attention nonetheless , even if you conciously don`t realize it - your subconciousness records it . I can`t rly tell if this disturbes the learning process but there is a high possibility that it does cuz subconcious is taking part in your learning process.... anyways the best method is to test it out , just learn with music once and without once then compare results
Aresien
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United Kingdom305 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 21:24:03
October 10 2009 21:13 GMT
#6
It's weird, the only music that I study better to is a good quality version of Pachelbel's canon.
Literally anything else I can't concentrate with, very strange .
Fontong
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States6454 Posts
October 10 2009 21:17 GMT
#7
Listening to jazz while studying is so distracting. I always end up getting caught up in how good it is.
[SECRET FONT] "Dragoon bunker"
caldo149
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States469 Posts
October 10 2009 21:24 GMT
#8
sometimes I like to have some background music, or even just noise because usually the silence really gets to me. But when I'm absolutely focused 100% it doesn't even matter either way. It cant be too catchy, sometimes I go classical or maybe the one of the channels at www.di.fm like lounge, techno or hardcore, but I don't play it very loud because then I'll get into it too much XD
Hellions are my homeboys
Kaniol
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Poland5551 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 21:34:06
October 10 2009 21:32 GMT
#9
Depends on kinds of music. Some hypnotic rhythms really help me to focus. OFC anything energetic doesn't, it actually makes me wanna stand up and do something, anything

I really like to listen to Chemical Brothers while studying, Autechre works well too. And Metallica's Call of Cthulu And quite a few other instrumentals (as well as ballads, for example Kat's ones), but Call of Cthulu is my fav. one.
maga33
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States247 Posts
October 10 2009 21:34 GMT
#10
When I'm doing math homework which is usually busy work, I like trance/classical/touhou music or most other songs with no lyrics. When I'm studying anything else, I like complete silence.
The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21243 Posts
October 10 2009 21:36 GMT
#11
Depends on my mood, I do both. Sometimes I feel like listening, sometimes I don't.
TranslatorBaa!
Caller
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
Poland8075 Posts
October 10 2009 21:38 GMT
#12
i've found that listening to rock music or anything that i can understand is terrible for my studying.

But J-Pop, Techno, some Rap songs, and people's streams are often really good for studying.

Xd
Watch me fail at Paradox: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=397564
ForTheSwarm
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States556 Posts
October 10 2009 21:43 GMT
#13
On October 11 2009 06:17 Fontong wrote:
Listening to jazz while studying is so distracting. I always end up getting caught up in how good it is.


Agreed man! Agreed
Whenever I see a dropship, my asshole tingles, because it knows whats coming... - TheAntZ
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11583 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 21:44:37
October 10 2009 21:44 GMT
#14
when i am reading for my American Literature class I need it to be absolutely quiet, so i go to the silent study area of the library. In other cases, I listen to Yndi Halda, Daturah, Milosh, This Will Destroy You, and Do Make Say Think
Calendar@ Fish Server: `iOps]..Stark
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
October 10 2009 21:45 GMT
#15
On October 11 2009 06:34 maga33 wrote:
When I'm doing math homework which is usually busy work, I like trance/classical/touhou music or most other songs with no lyrics. When I'm studying anything else, I like complete silence.


It depends on the person.

I hate silence really. I like having noise in the backround and it doesn't hurt my concentration at all if I have blaring rock music pounding in my ears. I like it that way.

Studying is different for everyone. Some professor will rarely be able to tell you how to study that works best for you. I would have flipped him off as I aced his tests...rock music studying and all.

Also Touhou music is amazing.
Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
Slaughter
Profile Blog Joined November 2003
United States20254 Posts
October 10 2009 21:50 GMT
#16
I cannot listen to anything, in fact any sound is highly distracting to me. Just 2 people talking in the same room and I have a hard time reading.
Never Knows Best.
Last.Midnight
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
Australia903 Posts
October 10 2009 21:53 GMT
#17
i typically play my playlist and i dont get distracted but if a great riff comes up my mind switches to it and i must headbang frantically until it is over. i then resume studying.
Kingfisher
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada144 Posts
October 10 2009 22:00 GMT
#18
I actually saw a psychology study on this.

The results was that music with lyrics regardless of genre did in fact contribute distraction. However, music with instrumentals (in this case, a classical music was chosen) did not affect a person's performance in studying at all. But as a psychologists mentioned that the best studying environment is the one that most resembles the testing environment and thus, by studying with music it also suggests that you'd do better while listening to music during the test as well. Since this isn't possible, I guess it would be better to study in silence; but the actual listening to instrumental music theoretically would not hinder in studying.

On a personal note, I can't study math or any other repetitive work without music cause it gets tedious but in case of readings, I'd prefer without music.
The Raurosaur
Profile Joined April 2009
198 Posts
October 10 2009 22:25 GMT
#19
I like to listen to music, preferably instrumental stuff like D&B or classical, while studying. However, when trying to wrap my head around something really complex, or reading a really complicated proof or whatever, I turn the music down or off so I can concentrate more intensely.
:(){:|:&};:
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
October 10 2009 22:28 GMT
#20
I study with a lot of Jazz and Rush

anything else and I lose concentration
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
Wineandbread
Profile Joined September 2009
United States2065 Posts
October 10 2009 22:45 GMT
#21
I usually prefer silence when studying, but when I'm bored I put on instrumental stuff. Basically, anything without vocals. Someone gets singing and I am immediately distracted. =(

Also, yay for Touhou listeners!
MuR)Ernu
Profile Joined September 2008
Finland768 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 22:58:19
October 10 2009 22:57 GMT
#22
music without vocals could be okay.

the music shouldnt be too loud either.

Perhaps not some really complicated epic music. Just some chilly sort of simple music.
Like some slow really simple piano tracks (chopin made a few of these). Or maybe some classical chamber music.

basically any instrumental type music. Or a language you cant understand lol


Overall, music does distract at least me, since i will always just drift away and start focusing on the music
blue_arrow
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
1971 Posts
October 10 2009 23:04 GMT
#23
i can't really study with music

i can drive better with music though
| MLIA | the weather sucks dick here
Bosu
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States3247 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 23:12:18
October 10 2009 23:10 GMT
#24
I always studied while listening to music when doing classes that I just needed to practice calculations in like physics and chemistry courses. Works great keeping me somewhat entertained while doing stuff that I find pretty boring for 2-10 hours. Couldn't make it without music.

In classes like anatomy, psychology, or anything else that I need to make sense of what the book is saying I can't concentrate too well with music.
#1 Kwanro Fan
Kentor *
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States5784 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-10 23:11:47
October 10 2009 23:10 GMT
#25
even classical distracts me i just find myself concentrating on the music instead

yeah should stop listening while reading
ketomai
Profile Joined June 2007
United States2789 Posts
October 10 2009 23:38 GMT
#26
It strangely depends on the subject I'm studying for. When I learn math related things, upbeat music really helps me study and gives me this uplifting feeling whenever I understand a concept. Otherwise, like in longwinded history/biology chapters, the music can be distracting as, I'm usually bored by those things even without music and I don't need a reason to not pay attention.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
October 10 2009 23:45 GMT
#27
I don't really pay attention to lyrics when I listen to music overall...which might be why I have such a hard time listening to more vocally oriented music.

To tell the truth, though, I don't really mind whether there's music or not. I tend to do best with post-rock or post-metal, like Russian Circles or something of the sort.

Classical, tbh, is distracting for me. It demands attention when I listen to it. I also cannot stand trance or techno of any kind.
Hello
omninmo
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
2349 Posts
October 10 2009 23:57 GMT
#28
On October 11 2009 07:28 FragKrag wrote:
I study with a lot of Jazz and Rush

anything else and I lose concentration


fuck yea man. the only cover my band does is CYGNUS X-1.
CharlieMurphy
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States22895 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-11 00:19:55
October 11 2009 00:18 GMT
#29
Classical music and even the normal music I listen to (underground hip hop) has always helped me when doing work or drawing. But when I play SC any music or other noise always makes me play worse.

But i think it depends on some other factors as well, sometimes I don't wanna listen to any music at all when im doing shit on the computer and I find it really distracting to have something playing while typing forum posts (especially talk radio or something).
..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)
GreEny K
Profile Joined February 2008
Germany7312 Posts
October 11 2009 00:43 GMT
#30
Depends where i am, if im in school im in a different mood compared to if im at home.
Why would you ever choose failure, when success is an option.
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66201 Posts
October 11 2009 00:54 GMT
#31
Instrumental = Good
Music with heavy lyrics = hard to concentrate

True story
POGGERS
Patriot.dlk
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Sweden5462 Posts
October 11 2009 00:56 GMT
#32
When i write code I must listen to music. This is because I need to get the curtains down so I can really concentrate. I guess earplugs might work good to
Phrujbaz
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
Netherlands512 Posts
October 11 2009 01:03 GMT
#33
Familiar, instrumental music is hardly disruptive at all.

Unfamiliar music with lyrics is quite disruptive. Classical good, Radio bad.

Classical radio: meh
Caution! Future approaching rapidly at a rate of about 60 seconds per minute.
Chuiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
3470 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-10-11 01:07:44
October 11 2009 01:06 GMT
#34
Your teacher is right, but that doesn't mean its a bad thing. Listening to the same music before you take a test or whatever can help stimulate that part of your brain to help you remember. Though try to use relaxing music, my friends did a scientific study in high school and found more relaxing music like classical helped while more erratic music like metal tended to lower scores. Of course that was just an amateur study, but they had highly contrasting test scores come from it. I never found out from them whether the individuals listening to metal actually liked it or if they were irritated by it.

As for me personally, I can't listen to music until I achieve a high level of concentration on my studying or homework. To get that I usually require a quiet environment to begin with. So I rarely listen to music as it makes it harder for me to start studying.
♞
DivinO
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States4796 Posts
October 11 2009 01:12 GMT
#35
I listen to a lot of DnB, Dubstep, and Electro/Progressive House while doing homework.
LiquipediaBrain in my filth.
OneOther
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States10774 Posts
October 11 2009 02:18 GMT
#36
i just can't study with music :o
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
October 11 2009 02:19 GMT
#37
i can listen to any kind of music for things that require anything mindless like doing up good drafts or note taking etc. But anything that requires thinking it just seems easier to have it quiet, but that's mostly because i like to talk to myself when thinking.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
MrHoon *
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
10183 Posts
October 11 2009 02:21 GMT
#38
I listen to VGM Remixed for my drawing sessions

Video Game Music are surprisingly good and addictive
dats racist
s_86
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States191 Posts
October 11 2009 03:44 GMT
#39
I like silence when studying, but if its in an area with even a little bit of noise (like people shifting about in the school library), i'd rather be listening to music. But the music has to be music that I have listened to many times, not new music.
OMin
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
United States545 Posts
October 11 2009 23:12 GMT
#40
i study with metal blasting and im totally fine with it
polarbear
Profile Joined October 2009
Canada3 Posts
October 11 2009 23:57 GMT
#41
I love to study with classical, jazz, or anything without lyrics type of music. This is my explanation, when someone is talking while I'm doing some complicated integral I just can't because I need to concentrate on the voice to understand what it's saying. Now when it comes to classical type of music, I automatically hear the sound I don't need to concentrate on it (the comprehension is basically subconcious). Ofc if I was crazy about some tune (I can't find the word, a song has lyrics but what's it called when there's none?) and I was analysing it while it's playing, that's another level of appreciation.
Zapdos_Smithh
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada2620 Posts
October 12 2009 04:45 GMT
#42
It depends on the type of homework I am doing. If it's reading I don't listen to music. Same with concentrated studying for exams. If it's repetitve note transferring or simple math exercises or something that doesn't require too much concentration but just time then I listen to music. Usually trance for the most part.
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