Does Your MP3 Player Affect Your Studying?

Have you ever tried to read a book as someone shouts directly into your ear? If you ask me, it would be possible, but quite strenuous and unpleasant. That being said, do you know anyone who would even tolerate, let alone request that someone shout into their ear as they try to write an essay, read a book or solve mathematical equations?

As funny as it sounds, this scenario is not as uncommon as one might think. All you have to do is add a couple of bells and whistles and even further-distracting noises to the shouting, and you now know what it’s like to try to do schoolwork with your MP3 player screaming into your ears at full blast.

There are a number of studies that suggest that listening to certain types of music can help someone study better. I do not disagree, but I would like to stress that this is only with certain types of music. I think that any credible person would agree that the brain reacts in a different way from listening to a relaxing concerto, than it does from hearing a rapper spit out profanities a mile a minute. I do not think that music is a problem if it is listened to at an appropriate time, but I think that it can negatively affect someone’s concentration if they are listening to it while trying to do something important such as school work (especially if it is the distracting, high-energy type of music that is popular nowadays).

I think that while studying unsupervised, most students lack the will power to keep their music turned off. Their music makes them feel good, so it is difficult for them to make the choice between feeling good, and being able to concentrate better.

One thing that really bothers me is when people crank up their earphones when I’m next to them trying to study. With an Apple iPod capable of reaching a volume level of 115 decibels, there is 'second-hand noise' aplenty in a room where someone has theirs playing at a moderate to high volume. I am extremely grateful for my current school's strict “no music” policy, but I was not as lucky last year and I found it extremely stressful to constantly ask students to turn down their music as the teachers said nothing.

Overall, it’s none of my business if you want to play your music when you’re by yourself trying to study, but you should, for your own benefit, honestly think about whether or not it is going to have a negative affect on your productivity. I know that it can be quite tempting to listen to your tunes when no one is there to tell you not to.

Thank you to all of the schools with “no-music” policies, and no-thanks to people who disturb their fellow classmates by blasting their earphones during class.

Thank you and happy 2010 Olympic games everybody!