THIS IS A STUDENT EDITORIAL AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINION OF THE LONGFELLOW ADMINISTRATION

Research states that although listening to music can make studying more enjoyable, this popular study habit is more distracting than beneficial. psychologists from the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences have found that

No matter how ‘background’ the music may be and how little we notice it, the brain is still processing sound signals. Almost all research in this area has shown that problem-solving and memory recall tasks are performed better in silence than with any kind of background noise. Yet on the other hand, Music can motivate you, improve your mood, and help you relax. It can even help you focus so you can study or work. But different types of music can have different effects. Many people find music helps them concentrate while studying and working.

From our own Longfellow students, 64% of the students we interviewed, state that listening to music helps them work, while recent studies show that 60% of teens find listening to music helpful. Students say that they tend to listen to genres of rap and pop, and artists like Drake. On the other hand, some students find listening to orchestra and calming sounds helps them focus better.

Kids claim that listening to music helps them focus, stay motivated, and keeps them from getting bored. 

“To me, listening to music keeps my attention span longer, which allows me to stay focused,” Maggie B. said. “I understand that [you can’t do it] if you have to listen to a teacher, but listening to music really does help me.”

When it comes to students listening to music, it’s important to find a balance. While music can help improve focus and motivation, it can also be distracting if not used wisely. Ultimately, it’s up to each student to figure out what works best for them. So you can listen to your favorite tunes, but make sure it doesn’t interfere with your studying and learning goals.