Creating the right learning environment may seem like a minor detail, yet it can make a big difference in how deeply we can immerse ourselves in a task. Noise, our surroundings, and background sounds can all affect our ability to pay attention and process information.
Music holds a special place among these factors, as it can serve both as a mood-setting background element and as a factor that influences attention. But it matters what kind of music we listen to—and it also matters what we’re studying at the moment.
In this article, we’ll explore how music can affect attention and concentration, in which learning situations it can be useful, and when it’s better to choose silence instead. We’ll also look at what factors to consider when selecting the right background music.
“I can’t study without music”-or, on the contrary, “I can only concentrate in silence”
As a college student, both of these statements probably sound familiar. Some people sit down to study their notes during exam season with the same playlist on, while others lose their train of thought even with just a little background noise. But who’s right? Does music help with studying, or is it just another distraction?
The answer isn’t as simple as it might seem at first glance. The effect of music depends largely on what we’re studying, what kind of music we’re listening to, how accustomed we are to background music, and the environment in which we’re trying to concentrate.
When preparing for an exam that lasts several hours, it’s not just about how much information we’re trying to memorize, but also how well we can maintain our focus over an extended period of time. Creating the right learning environment is therefore just as important as the material itself.
How does music affect our attention?
While listening to music, the brain processes several types of information at once. Recognizing sounds, following the rhythm, and the emotional responses triggered by the music all require a certain degree of attention. In addition, music can also affect the brain’s reward system, which is why a pleasant, familiar melody can improve your mood and reduce stress. This can be especially helpful during a long or monotonous study session
However, music does not necessarily improve concentration. While studying, our working memory must simultaneously process and retain information related to the material. If this is accompanied by song lyrics or complex musical stimuli, the two sources of information may compete with each other for our attention. This can be particularly distracting when we’re performing a task that itself requires language processing or intensive thinking.
Take, for example, a long exam period: we’ve been reading the same material for days, we’re tired, and we find it hard to motivate ourselves for yet another few hours of studying. At times like this, calm, familiar background music can help maintain our mood and, over time, become associated with our study routine. In this case, the music doesn’t necessarily make the studying itself more effective, but it can help us get started more easily and keep working.
On the other hand, when we’re trying to interpret a complex text, reading foreign-language academic literature, or solving a complex problem, it may be helpful to reduce background stimuli. Music with lyrics, in particular, can create an additional cognitive load, since processing the words can draw on some of the same cognitive resources that we need for the learning task itself.
It matters what kind of music we choose
“Music for learning” does not refer to a single category. A calm instrumental melody can have a different effect on us than a new album by our favorite artist, whose every lyric we know by heart.
Instrumental music
For many people, instrumental music is the ideal choice for studying. With classical music, film scores, lo-fi, or ambient soundscapes, there’s less of a chance that our attention will constantly be drawn to the song’s lyrics.
The PTE University Library’s Spotify channel features several playlists that can be used for studying. One of these, for example, offers calmer background music that works well during longer study sessions.
Favourite music
A familiar playlist can be motivating, especially during more monotonous tasks, such as organizing notes, preparing a presentation, or doing administrative work. However, if you find yourself paying more attention to the music than to the material, it’s a good idea to switch it up.
Too loud or too intense music
Volume also matters a lot. What may be pleasant background noise for one person can be a serious distraction for another. Music that’s too loud can constantly tie up part of our attention span.
When can music be helpful while studying?
Music can be particularly effective in situations where the goal is not deep understanding but rather repetition or practice.
For example:
- reviewing notes,
- organizing study material,
- preparing a presentation,
- practicing simpler tasks,
- long, monotonous work processes.
In these cases, music can help maintain motivation and make the time spent studying more enjoyable.
When is it better to study in silence?
There are tasks that require our full attention. These include, for example:
- learning new, difficult concepts,
- reviewing academic literature,
- writing an essay or thesis,
- solving problems that require complex thinking.
In these situations, a quiet environment can help us immerse ourselves more deeply in the material.
It’s no coincidence that many students choose the library as their study location. The right environment in itself promotes concentration: there are fewer distractions, it’s easier to establish a study routine, and it’s easier to get into the right mindset for studying.
With its quiet study areas, the university library offers students an excellent opportunity to prepare effectively. If it’s harder to block out distractions at home, a day of studying at the library can even give your preparation a fresh boost.
How can you find your own method?
There’s no universal rule stating that complete silence or music is the ideal learning environment for everyone. The best approach is to experiment.
Try, for example:
- completing the same task both with music and in silence,
- noticing when you can make faster progress,
- distinguish between easier and more difficult study tasks,
- develop a routine that’s easier to stick to.
The effectiveness of studying doesn’t depend on just one small factor. Proper time management, a comfortable environment, regular breaks, and your own study habits all play an important role.
The final answer: Music can help—but how we use it matters
Music alone does not make us better learners, nor does it necessarily impair our performance. Its effect depends primarily on the type of task we’re doing. When we’re reviewing, organizing, or performing a more monotonous task, soft, well-chosen background music can help maintain our attention and motivation. However, when learning new material, reading academic texts, writing, or solving complex problems, silence is generally the better choice—especially when it comes to music with lyrics.
The simplest rule is this: the more concentration a task requires, the fewer additional stimuli you need. And if you’re studying with music, it’s best to choose music that’s soft, instrumental, and not too varied.
So you don’t have to follow the same method in every study situation. The key is that the environment you choose should support the task, rather than become an additional distraction.
Sources:
PTE Career Office – Why Is It Good to Listen to Music While Studying?
ELTE Online – “The Healing Effects of Music on Body and Soul”
ELTE Online – Does Mozart Really Make You Smarter?
Cheon et al. (2023) – Should We Turn off the Music? Music with Lyrics Interferes with Cognitive Tasks
Du et al. (2024) – Impact of background music on reading comprehension: influence of lyrics language and study habits
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