Should My Child Listen to Music While Studying?

Asked by Anonymous on our Parent Webinar Series.

Great question, and one we're asked again and again by parents. Let's dive in!

Does Music Help or Hinder Studying?

When deciding whether your child should study with music, it’s important to consider the type of work they’re doing and how music might affect their focus. While music can help some students get started, its impact varies depending on the task.

How Listening to Music While Studying Can Help

• Motivation to Start: One of the main reasons students procrastinate is the expectation of boredom. Music can make the initial act of sitting down to study less daunting. If music makes it easier to get started, then we would consider it helpful. However, if possible, turn it off once you're in the groove.

• Mood Boosting: Uplifting or calming music can help reduce stress, creating a more positive study environment.

  
  

Types of Music Matter

• Music With Words: Songs with lyrics or heavy beats can be distracting as they compete for the brain's language-processing capacity. This kind of music is likely to impact the quality of your child's work, as well as the amount they're getting done.

• Instrumental Music: Classical music, lo-fi beats, or soundtracks are less likely to interrupt focus.

  
  

Different Study Activities, Different Rules

1. Homework: Homework is often less critical and may involve repetitive or less mentally demanding tasks. In these situations, music can serve as a helpful background tool to make the process less tedious. While studying in a silent environment might be ideal, if listening to music helps a student complete their work, it’s a compromise worth making.

   
   

2. Memorisation and Revision: For tasks like memorising notes or revising critical concepts, undivided attention is crucial. Music, even instrumental or classical, can be a distraction that affects how well information is absorbed. Studies show that cognitive tasks requiring significant focus are hindered by auditory distractions, so silence is recommended during these activities.

   
   

3. Practice Exams: Practice exams are the most important type of preparation and demand the highest level of concentration. They are meant to simulate actual exam conditions, which are silent. Since students cannot rely on music during exams, practising without it is essential to build endurance and familiarity with the quiet atmosphere. Relying on music for focus during practice can create dependency, making the real exam environment feel unsettling. For this reason, we highly recommend doing all final practice questions without any music.

   
   

   However, as per the point above, if music helps a student get started with studying or they find it challenging to work without it, it’s better to proceed with the distraction than avoid studying altogether. The priority is completing the revision or practice exams, even if the conditions aren't perfect. That said, we recommend gradually reducing reliance on music over time. Once your child is focused and in the groove, turn the music off.

Key Takeaway for Parents

If music motivates your child to study, it’s better to let them use it than have them avoid studying altogether. However, as the intensity of the task increases, the benefits of silence outweigh the benefits of music. Help your child build habits that align with the demands of their exams.

For other exam preparation tips and tricks, take a look at our Exam Preparation Crash Course.