Music to Study to Improve Concentration and Focus

There's a reason why athletes can often be seen with their headphones on before they play: music can get them pumped. And while it may seem counterintuitive, when you’re not looking forward to studying or have a big exam coming up, the right song can help motivate you to hit the books and focus on your work.

Research has found that certain types of music can enhance cognition. But figuring out what works for you can be tricky, and it’s important to remember that the effects of different kinds of music vary greatly depending on your individual tastes, introvert or extrovert tendencies, and personal background.

One major factor is tempo: studies have shown that music with a slower tempo helps you to concentrate more effectively, while fast-paced music can make you susceptible to an earworm, a little snippet of tune or lyric that recurs over and over again in your brain. And don’t forget to consider the emotional impact of your study music, too: songs that evoke positive emotions can encourage you to push harder when it comes to studying, while sad or angry songs can make it more difficult to focus.

Some students may be Música para estudiar tempted to opt for classical music, as the Mozart effect (a theory that certain kinds of classical music can help people to perform better on tests) is well-documented. However, there's also been evidence of a “Blur Effect,” where students who enjoyed listening to BritPop bands like Blur performed better on tests than those who listened to classical music. So if you're not a fan of the Classical Zone, don’t worry – there's plenty of other great music to study by.

In addition to tempo and emotion, the type of music you choose can also have an effect on your attention span and memory. It's recommended that you stick with instrumental music to avoid distracting lyrics, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different musical styles until you find the ones that work best for you.

You can create a special playlist of study music that’s designed to help you improve your concentration and focus. To do this, you’ll need to choose a mix of slow, soothing music with a steady rhythm that won’t disrupt your thoughts. Then, you can add in a few tracks that have a bit of an upbeat tempo, to keep you motivated. But be sure to use headphones so that you don’t drown out the lyrics with loud sounds, which can be distracting and a waste of your limited listening time.