Choosing the right music for homework can help you focus better and learn faster.
Around 60% of students tend to listen to music while studying. Researchers also found that listening to music was the most popular side activity for teens who juggled studying with another task.
While we may prefer different genres of focus music, we can all agree that the right playlist has the magical ability to boost concentration.
This is because music activates the most diverse networks of the human brain. It’s been proven that people with ADHD focus better with the right music.
This is on top of existing research that has found listening to music reduces anxiety, blood pressure, and improves sleep quality, mood, and memory.
Johns Hopkins University researchers have done work on jazz performers improvising inside an fMRI machine to see which areas of the brain light up as well.
They found that jazz musicians make unique improvisations by turning off inhibition and turning up creativity.
In short, if you find the right music for homework, you can elevate both brain power and creativity.
While there isn’t a one-size-fit-all approach to this, let us help you narrow down some of the best genres for you to try:
Here are the five best music for homework to help you increase your productivity:
1. Classical music
When picking music for homework, you’ve probably heard how classical music can increase your focus when studying.
There’s a theory dubbed “The Mozart Effect” that suggests this genre of music can enhance brain activity and arouse your brain to focus.
There are also several studies done where students listening to classical music did better on quizzes than students with no music.
Suggestions:
- ClassicFM (a free radio streaming platform that plays famous classical pieces)
- “Study Playlist: Classical Music” on Spotify
- “Classical Music for When You’re on a Deadline” on YouTube
2. Video game music
This might surprise you but video game music is actually one of the best music for homework. According to Orion Academy, video game music is designed to keep you absorbed and focused — which is also great for memorising.
When your brain is focused on just melody, it’s taking a break from trying to break down the lyrics of a song and thus increases your performance.
Video game music tends to stay at a relatively low, constant volume too, preventing you from becoming distracted by sudden increases in volume.
Since video game music is generally fast-paced, your brain will be constantly engaged in the task at hand.
Suggestions:
- “Video game soundtracks” on Spotify
- “Video game music for studying” on YouTube
- Choose favourites from this list and create your own playlist!
3. RnB
If you’re someone who easily gets distracted, RnB may not be the best music for homework for you. There’s a high chance that you might spend too much time jamming to the lyrics of the song instead of focusing.
Though music under his genre generally has lyrics, many RnB fans reported feeling more relaxed, focused, and less stressed, which may have a positive impact on their ability to focus and learn.
Suggestions:
- “Study R&B Smooth Songs” on Spotify
- “Chill R&B Beats Mix – Beats to Relax and Study (Vol.1)” on YouTube
4. Nature sounds
It’s been shown that nature sounds relax our nervous system. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have also discovered that natural sounds boost moods and focus.
The study found employees were more productive and had more positive feelings when nature sounds were playing in the background while they worked.
Nature sounds include the soothing sounds of the rain, ocean waves on the beach or even the jungle. Some prefer listening to bird calls and animal noises, so feel free to explore if nature sounds aren’t the right music for homework for you.
Suggestions: