How Music Influences Your Mind as a Student

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3 surprising benefits of listening to music while studying

By: Kaitlyn

As Music Therapy Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the impact that something as simple as music can have on our daily lives. Music therapy is “the use of music and/or elements of music (like sound, rhythm and harmony) to accomplish goals, like reducing stress or improving quality of life.” Whether you are someone who belts out your favourite tunes in the car or you enjoy listening to music while studying, songs has been proven to positively impact various aspects of your life, including your life at school. Personally, listening to my Spotify playlist while cramming for an assignment calms down my nerves, and other SSU team members agree, with the majority saying that they listen to music on their commute to school and while studying.  

Looking for go to therapeutic songs from SSU staff members? Check these tunes out! 🎶

While listening to songs can be used as a therapeutic tool to restore, maintain, and improve mental, physical, and emotional health, it can also be a great tool to use when focusing on school. I know that I would not have survived the past five years of postsecondary school without listening to my Spotify playlist on the GO train to school and when preparing for an exam.  

Here are some ways that listening to music can improve your academic performance:  

1. Elevates your mood

According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, music can boost the brain’s production of the hormone called dopamine. This helps improve your mood and stress levels. Music therapy is a great way to improve your mental health practices and boost your mood! For me an improved mood means that I will feel more confident in my work at school and in my assignments. Feeling happier when studying makes me feel more motivated to get my work done and can even lead to improved grades! 😊✨

2. Improves focus and concentration 

While everyone is different, studies have shown that listening to music while studying helps you block out distractions and creates a consistent sound environment for focusing.

Most of our SSU staff members shared that they prefer listening to their favourite songs digitally, which is a convenient way to enjoy your favourite songs while studying. Putting on your favourite playlist is a great way to block out any distractions and allows you to concentrate on your tasks. I frequently get distracted by background noises while studying at home, like the TV or cars passing by. To stay focused, I put in my AirPods and immerse myself in my work. This helps me stay on top of tasks as I often struggle to work in silence. 🧠🔍

3. Boosts your brainpower and memory 

An article by Harvard Health Publishing, discusses how “music doesn’t just help us retrieve stored memories, it also helps us lay down new ones.” This means that a song you listen to while studying can make you recollect information when doing a test. Music engages various areas of the brain, including the parts that are associated with memory and emotion, like the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Since most SSU staff members and Sheridan students primarily listen to their tunes via Bluetooth devices like AirPods, it’s a seamless way to put on some tunes, study, and let your brain be engaged! 💡🎼

I truly believe in the power of music as a therapeutic tool. For me, going on a walk while listening to music significantly boosts my mood and helps reduce stress. For other SSU staff members listening to music is also a frequent part of their lives and is something they use during their studies. Something as small as music can make a big difference in your life and how your perform at school. From boosting concentration and memory to enhancing your mood and reducing stress, the benefits are clear.  

So, next time you’re hitting the books, consider pressing play and letting the rhythm guide your focus. After all, a little music might be just what you need to unlock your full potential. 🎵 

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Gear up to conquer this semester!

Looking to improve your academic performance this semester? Explore these blogs for valuable tips to help you excel in the classroom and beyond! ⬇️