Poll: Students who listen to music while studying get higher grades (2024)

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Poll: Students who listen to music while studying get higher grades? ›

A recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of online university CSU Global looked at the correlation between music and studying and found that those who listen to music were more likely to have a GPA above 3.2.

When it comes to studying for an exam, many students find that one of the best ways to stay focused no matter where they are is through listening to music. One study found that people who listen to music in either a casual or focused way had higher scores for mental wellbeing and reduced levels of anxiety.

A recent survey estimated that around 60% of students use music to help with studying. Previous studies have suggested around 50% do so.

Music to Help You Study Can Reduce Stress

There is scientific evidence to suggest that music can indeed help reduce stress and improve your mood. One study from the National Library of Medicine found that listening to music has a positive effect on the psychobiological stress system.

In another study, students who attended a videotaped lecture with classical music playing in the background scored higher on a subsequent quiz than students who heard the lecture without music. The pauses between musical movements may help our brains focus and organize new information, according to a study in Neuron.

Music provides many benefits when trying to be productive and increase your learning. According to Frontiers in Psychology, a good mood generally improves the outcome of learning. When you listen to your preferred music, it'll put you in a better mood, resulting in more success with studying.

There have been multiple studies and surveys showing that 16 percent of students who participate in music programs achieve a 4.0 GPA, and only 5 percent of non-music students achieved a 4.0 GPA. Music students are taught how to balance an academic workload along with learning to play a musical instrument.

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.

The way music evokes memories can be compared only to the similar effect of our sense of smell. Both of these brain activities take us back to the most pleasant and relaxed periods of our lives. Listening to our favorite music alters how we feel, and activates the part of our brain responsible for long-term memory.

Does listening to music break your fast? ›

Many scholars belief that listening to music in general is forbidden due to the nature of the content in contemporary music. Others believe that listening to music during Ramadan Is not only haram but distracts you from focusing on studying, reading or listening to content related to Islam.

We have found that the best genres of music to listen to while studying, reading or writing include minimalist, classical, piano and low-fi music. We've compiled some of the best lyric-free playlists that will act as brain food while keeping your attention on your studies so you can ace that test and earn that A.

Music is also positive for your productivity because it activates the reward centers of your brain, especially when you hear a novel cord or a moment where the music shifts, according to research led by McGill University and published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

The Mozart effect is the theory that listening to Mozart's music can induce a short-term improvement on the performance of certain kinds of cognitive tasks and processes.

Music relies on structure and the use of rhythm and timing. Since ADHD often involves difficulty with tracking timing and duration, listening to music might help improve performance in these areas. Listening to music you enjoy can also increase dopamine, a neurotransmitter.