Studying is one of the top priorities of a college student. However, music can be a way of studying. Finding the right method of studying can be a difficult task for a student.
Different students have different methods of studying for their quizzes, tests, and homework. Students may prefer to study alone, in a group, in complete silence without any surrounding distractions or even while listening to music.
“It really depends on what I am studying. If it’s something like for last minute cramming like I am with Dr. K’s test tomorrow, then I won’t. If it’s just for a long term setting for lab or biology then I will listen to classical music like Charlotte Church,” said Michelle Bryant, Tyler Junior College music major. “Anything with rock or stuff like that I find distracting. If anything, I tend to listen to something without drums or guitar.”
According to americanchronicle.com, the type of music we listen to affects the brain. Some music has been proven and helps memorization, to help us retain information we have learned. It has to do with order, symmetry, rhythmic patterns, repetition, ideal mathematical form, and harmony. People rely on choosing a music tutor to help them understand their musical taste and pursue them as a viable career option.
“If I am doing memorization like just distinctly memorizing just one thing, then I can’t because I tend to chant things when I am memorizing and music would offset that,” said Bryant.
However, the method of studying with music basically depends on the individual.
“I do not listen to music while I study,” said Kelly Spencer, TJC Nursing major. “I don’t like the distraction. I like quiet, to focus and every once and awhile I listen to light classical music. I get to focusing on what I am studying and then I don’t even get up and do it even when I have that thought.”
According to homeworktip.com, the most commonly recognized learning styles are visual learning, tactile learning, and auditory learning. It is important to discover your own prominent learning style to determine how to study most effectively, but it’s also important to know your learning style in order to recognize potential problems.
“I think I am very visual so I do a lot of re-reading and making out flashcards,” said Spencer.
TJC students can discover their learning style by taking inventories at the Learning Loft on the third floor of Roger Student Center.
Students who listen to music while studying may become distracted and lose studying time.
“I recommend that they don’t listen to music while they are reading,” said Tracey Williams, TJC Tutor Coordinator/Learning Specialist. “But set a timer for that…. say between 12 to 20 minutes time and when that timer goes off then they can listen to that one song then go back to reading.”
Williams also says music choice is important for one thing, it doesn’t need to be terribly long and it also does not need to be something that gets students revved up. Some prefer relaxing music while others prefer instrumental music instead of music that has words. Williams recommends a song between one to three minutes in length. It gives you a break. Longer breaks than intended can make the student lose studying time. Quick breaks can relax the student so that they can get back to their material and not lose time.
