Yet another divisive question has been raised for the Life section: whether or not listening to music is a strong study habit during the midterm season. Non-instrumental music leads some to get distracted by the lyrics, but others find any type of music stimulates the brain like chewing a piece of gum (if that’s not pseudoscience). Those who blare beats when studying stand by it, though there’s valid reasoning to argue the contrary, so let’s see what the Life section says!
Dan Stark, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
As a musician, I’ve always struggled with listening to music while I work because I tend to get distracted and focus more on what I’m listening to than the task at hand. But I generally find that it depends on the task I’m doing. If I’m putting a study guide together, which often just consists of copying my notes from class into a more concise document, then I’ll usually put on some music to help pass the time. In this case, I’m not as distracted since I’m doing work that’s basically mindless. But when it comes to actually sitting down and studying, the music goes off so I can concentrate better and get the information into my head. So, my answer is generally no, but there are certain instances where I’ll throw on some Grateful Dead tunes in the background.
Patrick Boots, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
I study in a very unique way. I do, however, also enjoy listening to music while I do my homework or work independently — I am a radio DJ, after all.
One of my favorite places to work is Whitney Dining Hall, which has a great music playlist over the speaker. Maybe it’s the allure of the old-fashioned TV dinner, but I do my best work when having a snack or enjoying a meal. Some may frame music as a potential distraction, but it helps me block out the potential to focus on “anything but the work” stimuli all around us.
I don’t often put on narrative content, like television shows or movies, or even YouTube videos — those are perhaps too distracting because I must process the words being spoken or the continuity of the plot.
Other times, I prefer working in a quieter area like my dormitory or the quiet floors of the library. As midterm season creeps up on us, I’d imagine a lot of students are curating their playlists and figuring out the best place to be to study.
Good luck, Huskies!
Ben Lassy, Life Editor (he/him/his)
Here’s a breakthrough I had recently: What if we could use distractions strategically, dividing and conquering them to reduce their impact? Music, one of these potential distractions, is the key to this strategy. Carefully choosing noise while studying, whether it be music or ambient surroundings, reduces the effect of other distractions such as text notifications, and having headphones in and appearing to be focused should shoo away any unintentional attention-sapping friends or classmates. Ultimately, noise gives you a new layer of defense against any unexpected interruptions.
However, has this ever happened to you? Your favorite song comes on and you close all your work tabs and start freaking out because the song is so good, going on to forget why you were in the library entirely? Cases like these prove to me that it’s important to be selective about the noise you want in the background. So, bear with me here: The best “music” to have in the background during study sessions is undoubtedly Christmas walking tours in Germany. At around two hours long, they transport you far away, and if you can’t speak German, then words don’t distract you. But it’s a plus if you’re learning German like me.
Every so often you’ll also hear faint polka music in the background or other encouraging words from American tourists purchasing something, and though the holidays are still a ways away, a little festivity only makes you more motivated to get through your work.
Desirae Sin, Staff Writer (she/her/hers)
Music is for weaklings who can’t sit in silence, for fear of their own thoughts plaguing their mind. Instead, I watch YouTube videos while studying, like a true multitasker. The problem with listening to music while studying is that I have the urge to choose which song I listen to, rather than letting a playlist do it automatically. If I’m feeling truly adventurous, I’ll watch an entire movie on YouTube while studying.
With videos, I can watch a coherent story or character while studying or working. It’s similar to putting a movie on the TV while washing dishes or folding laundry. Having sounds in the background can make tasks easier or go by quicker. Personally, I like to watch videos of people playing video games, usually I end up rewatching videos because they’re so funny or I like the games a lot. Right now, I’m rewatching videos of people playing “Stray,” and waiting for more videos on people playing the remake of “Silent Hill 2.”
Samantha Brody, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers)
I’m normally all for music — no matter what the homework assignment is, I’ve got something playing in the background to make it all go by faster. Unfortunately, studying is where I end up drawing the line. You’ve got to get that information into your head somehow, and that’s something Chappell Roan just can’t help with. So, it’s “Good Luck, Babe” to my playlists and instead you’ll find me hunched over my laptop with my Italian notes next to me. Something lighter, such as making a study guide, could warrant some background music, but straight up memorization and familiarization requires some more focus. Generally, my only exception is music from the group Vitamin String Quartet, who make string instrument covers of popular songs — tragically, they’ve yet to make a Chappell Roan album.