If you take a walk around any college campus, one of the most familiar images you will see is students with books in their hands and earphones in their ears. They are studying and listening to music at the same time. Why is it so common? Let’s hear what our students say about whether they study will listening with music or not.

Hillary Mehnert ’14, West Chester, Pa.:
I listen to music when I study anytime I’m not in class. Listening to music while studying helps me focus more easily because it tunes out all other sounds. I also find it easier to write a paper while listening to music because what I’m listening to can give me an idea of what I want to write.

Yukine Tsuru ‘11, Kumamoto-Shi, Japan:
When I study for long time, and start feeling like, “I can’t concentrate anymore,” I put my earphones in to change my mood. I think music helps stimulate your brain. You can concentration longer while listening to music.

Ida Obeng-Koranteng ‘13, Accra, Ghana:
I always listen to music when studying. I get uncomfortable when it’s quiet. Sometimes, I tend to start singing along and stop studying, but music makes me feel really good. Music also makes me not fall asleep when studying.

Chelsea Wilson ’13, Gwynn Oak, Md.:
I never listen to music when I study. It’s too distracting! The negative aspect of listening to music while studying is that you don’t retain nearly as much information as you can if it is quiet. I know some people who have to have music on while they’re studying can’t get anything done.

Shuyunan He ‘13, Sichuan, China:
I try to avoid this situation. Music can easily distract you. It’s also hard to stop listening. You might keep telling yourself that this would be the last song, but actually, it would never come.

Jessica Matlack ’14, Newtown Square, Pa.:
I don’t listen to music when I study. I have a hard time concentrating with noise. I often end up writing down the lyrics I’m listening to, or thinking about other things besides homework. Music does better my mood but I can’t get anything done. So, I turn off my IPod.

~Thanh Nguyen ‘14, Juniata Online Journalist