Music plays an important role in many students’ daily lives, especially during
study sessions. Whether it’s playing softly in the background or used as a way to
relax, music has become a common part of how students manage their academic tasks.
While some believe it helps them focus and reduce stress, others argue it can be a
distraction. This essay explores how music can influence academic performance, with
a focus on how it affects memory, comprehension, concentration, stress levels and
overall achievement. By looking at research studies, students can better understand
music’s true role in academic success.
To begin with, studies have shown that background music can
significantly impact memory and comprehension. In a study by Mensink and Dodge
(2014), college students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout recalled more of what
they studied when they studied in silence or with popular music, compared to
classical music. This finding suggests that classical music may be more distracting
during study sessions, possibly due to its unfamiliar style or complexity.
Meanwhile, research conducted by the Frontiers in Psychology team (2024) supports
the idea that vocal music can be particularly disruptive during reading
comprehension tasks. Their study found that students who listened to lyrical music
while reading achieved lower scores than those who read in silence. The
researchers believe this happens because the words in the music compete with the
brain's effort to understand the reading material, which can cause confusion. The
findings from both studies highlight the importance of considering music types when
selecting music environments for studying.
Another main point is that music has been shown to significantly improve
concentration and reduce stress, especially among students engaged in academic
tasks. According to Muslimah and Apriani (2019), music can act as a valuable tool
for enhancing focus during learning. Their research involving college students
indicated that 83.3% believed that listening to music while studying helped them
stay calm and increased their ability to focus. This supports the idea that music
can create a learning-friendly atmosphere while minimizing distractions. In
addition to boosting concentration, music also plays a powerful role in stress
reduction. Chanmahapon et al. (2021) carried out a study with high school students
to see how music affects stress. In their research, students who listened to
relaxing music with nature sounds for 20 minutes had lower heart rates and reported
feeling less stressed afterward. These results suggest that music can calm the body
and mind by helping the brain and nervous system relax. By adding music to their
study routines, students may be able to
improve their academic performance and feel more relaxed at the same time. This
makes music a simple yet powerful way to support learning and emotional health.
Furthermore, music has been shown to boost academic performance and
positively affect students' GPAs through both direct and indirect ways. Lillian,
James, and William (2021) found that students who listened to music while studying
had higher GPAs than those who studied in silence, suggesting that music can help
create better study habits and improve cognitive engagement. This matches the
findings in the article Perceptions on the Effects of Music on Academic
Productivity (2021), where many students reported that music helped reduce stress,
increase focus, and boost motivation during study time. On a deeper level, long-
term research by Janurik and Józsa (2021) provides strong evidence that early
musical skills, especially in rhythm perception and reproduction are key indicators
of future academic success. Their study showed that students’ rhythm abilities were
a stronger predictor of GPA in Grade 7 than intelligence or parental education.
Likewise, Santo-Luiz (2015) found that students involved in structured music
education outperformed their peers in various academic subjects. These findings
suggest that both listening to music while studying and participating in music
education can strengthen cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and self-
regulation skills that are crucial for academic success. Ultimately, music plays a
vital role in supporting and enhancing students' educational outcomes.
In conclusion, music can influence academic performance in various ways.
While it may sometimes hinder memory and comprehension, especially when vocal music
is involved, it can also boost focus and reduce stress. Many students find that
listening to certain types of music helps them concentrate better and feel calmer
during studies. Additionally, music has been linked to higher GPAs and academic
success, suggesting that, when used wisely, it can be a powerful tool for learning.
