Can you concentrate studying or doing something while listening to music?

@tkleyr (406)
Philippines
January 4, 2009 7:26am CST
During my college days I really love studying my lessons when I am listening to music. But of course I admit that it somehow breaks my concentration and cant do continuous memorization of the lesson. But it helps me boosting up myself to keep it going until midnight. But my philosophy instructor once said that it is not possible to concentrate on two thing at the same time. Thus listening to music and having studying your lesson at the same time is not advisable.
1 person likes this
22 responses
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
4 Jan 09
If i need complete concentration i like more without music so it can easily absurb to my brain and i can understand it in a sort period of time, but if i am not in the mode to study i have listening first to the music to create a relaxing mode and inorder for me to have concentration to what i am doing. Happy mylotting.
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
Thanks for making me the best respond.
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Hi! Wanna thank you for that comment. We have the same opinion with it. Let's just make studying and listening to music one at a time to keep us on the right track. Have a nice day!
• Philippines
4 Jan 09
I think your instructor is right when we are talking about studying and listening to music. During my college years (which is roughly, 4 years ago ) I don't like any noise when I am studying. I like it very quite. I like it so I can concentrate and focus more. But you know, I have classmates and my boyfriend now told me that they prefer to study while listening to music. Like you, it boost them--- this is what I don't really understand. With regard to concentrating on 2 things at the same time, I think it is possible, you know multitasking? That's what I am talking about.
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Hello! Thank you so much for that very wonderful comment of yours. I guess multi tasking is possible to a person or to your job. But concentrating on two things which are listening to music and studying is hard to tell. For example you are listening to music and then knew that music somehow or lets put it this way, you exactly knew every notes of it, then you will stop for a while and concentrate to it. After which, you will continue studying your lessons which is your primary goal. Because you will notice that if you put your concentration on your study, you will miss some of the lines or you are not aware that the song reaches its end right? I hope I am right and please correct me if I am wrong. Have a nice day!
• Philippines
8 Jan 09
Yes you are correct. Like me, listening to music and studying is not possible, because I lose concentration.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
5 Jan 09
I like a little bit of noise in the background but when I am really struggling with something, I need for the room to be quiet. Libraries work well for me - I'm not alone but it's quiet.
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Hi there! Thanks a lot for the comments. I want to stress the word "noise" you have used to be at your background. Noise is the result of excessive sounds which is a pollution already to our ears. Sounds is good as long as it is tolerable. I agree with you cutepenguin that we need private rooms or area like libraries if we really need to concentrate on one thing.
@muru1950 (963)
• India
5 Jan 09
Hi tkleyr I don't know whether your philosophy teacher was correct or not. I do study or work with music on.It gives me more energy and enthusiasm.My output is better when I work with music. When computer can do so many works at a time,why not our brain,which is a super computer? Happy Mylotting.
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Thanks for the comment muru. I am happy that you have shared your thoughts about the issue. Maybe it absolutely depends on the person who wants to have music or no music at all if they do their job. But one thing I wont do really is to have my studying and that of listening to music happens at the same time. Meaning simultaneously.
• China
5 Jan 09
i like music so much .but my studying is well too . i am poor in earning money online.i am poor in computer .but i do not know how to do .can you give me some good advice. i got the scholarship twice .now i am in three grade.i will studying hard for my furtune.what is the best choice to me .during the holiday ,i will do some meaningthings like as earning something.maybe i can help my brother .
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Hello, Thanx so much for the comments. I guess there is a lot of opportunities online and no one can tell how you will earn depending on your activities. I am doing a lot of possibilities like here at mylot, I am somehow earning discussing things I love to discuss and sharing thoughts which I think can help to other mylotters. You can do good blogs which has very good contents and make earnings into it. You can then use it as a tool for review sites which pays you directly into your account. The site will give you task and will pay you in $US. I am willing to help you with what I know can help. I do not earn that much but it is pretty good knowing I keep on doing things I love and earn from it. Good Luck!
• India
5 Jan 09
Hello tkleyr, wish you a very happy new year first. Music is the most preferred aid to me for concentration. Your teacher is quite right. Human brain cannot concentrate on two things simultaneously. While listening music to enjoy it, one has to concentrate to the listening part. But while trying to concentrate, from my experience, it is better to play some known and slow and soothing song repeatedly. It keeps the disturbing outside sound away and the constant rhythm helps in doing the things one is trying to do. I played music while studying and I can do math better with it than without. Good luck
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
8 Jan 09
Yes I believe he is quite right. Before I insist that I can concentrate but ending the discussion with my head vowed down admitting that he is right. Who will ever refuse good music right? I mean having it as a background to whatever you do is a great option. But of course when you study it is a different thing you need to consider. Thanks!
@swatig (1183)
• India
5 Jan 09
Its true tht its not adviceable to listen any other voice while studing but if the music you are listening is among your choice then it not distrub you else it increase your concentration as far i experienence.music is no doubt is helps you to relieve your stress level and increase the concentration and helps you in thinking process.
@thukio16 (254)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
Hi there! Me too! I love to study my lessons while listening to music. I think psychology explains that it really helps our brain to function well when there is a background music. Hope this could help. Happy mylotting and have a nice day!
@mjmlagat (3170)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Hi there! Well it depends on the music someone is playing. But i can tolerate the most when mellow or religious songs are played on the background--I can still concentrate on anything I'm doing for as long as it will not be rock music.
• India
4 Jan 09
Irrespective of whether you listen to music or not - your mind will deviate after a certain amount of time. Rather than those external unfavourable factors I would prefer it to be the music of my choice. Besides I think of it as something to feed my subconscious mind while I try to concentrate on my subject The trick for me is to listen a certain song which i do not enjoy too much so that I do not start mouthing the lytics or get distracted by the song. All I would say is that it works for some bt not for all.:)
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
The ones that can do that is really lucky because they can do it at the same time. I dont know how to do it. My concentration really transfers to one of these two and cannot do it simultaneously. Thanks!
@Yori88 (1465)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
I can concentrate on what I am studying if I listen to music without lyrics. In short, the instrumental ones. But if I listen to music with lyrics sometimes I get carried away and then sing, then I get lost on what I am studying. When I do household chores I feel more energized to work when I hear my favorite music and songs. This time it is different because the music give me more boost, whether it is instrumental or with lyrics. When I get to work I usually listen to music with my cellphone so that I could have more energy at work and be more inspired to go to work. That's all!
@kmkper (90)
• India
5 Jan 09
Yeah probably everyone came through that phase. There would be half concentration but we don't get bored easily. Though it's a bad habit i know :)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
It depends on the music I listen to . . . when I clean the house I want the RnB type. . and in college when I want to study or write a letter for my boyfriend I prefer the mellow. . but now, i prefer listening to bossa nova type of music.
@Mocha09 (71)
• United States
5 Jan 09
I disagree, I to like listening to music while I'm writing, reading... It's not frequent but, I need to hear music to actually concentrate a lil better at times..
@tkleyr (406)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
Ok I agree to your point. You want to hear music to boost you up with your writing and reading habits. But for me, I am doin it too with music but if I wanted to concentrate more on one thing, I want total silence to have an awesome results.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
5 Jan 09
i can't actually... it is so hard to concentrate on studying while listening to music... it is just too hard... i need complete silence when i am studying... especially when i am memorising something... take care and have a nice day...
@orevro (715)
• Philippines
5 Jan 09
i think it depends on the music your listening. some say that musical instruments sepecially yht violin can help a person with his/her concentration. I haven't tried that one but when i study, i usually play instrumentals. It keeps my mind relaxed from too much memorizing and conceptualizing:)
• United States
5 Jan 09
Well I agree that listening to music might disrupt your memorization. If I'm trying to memorize something by saying it out aloud then having music on while I'm speaking will kinda interrupt.However, I do like listening to music while I'm studying or online or whatever.
@misspipsi (237)
• Bulgaria
4 Jan 09
Stding while listening to music-NO!I can`t concentrate when I`m studing anyway.I just hate studing.While I`m writing here for example I can`t do it without music.Music is inspiring for me but studing and working with music-NO!It just ruins the great music.Happy MyLotting!
@silverjam (969)
• United States
5 Jan 09
Absolutely not.....I cannot do that. I cannot even concentrate doing something in the net while the tv is on how much more when studying w/ a music backgrounds? I was often so annoyed when I was in college and my room mate was studying her lessons while listening to a radio.......it was really getting in my nerves. I really wonder how she would concentrate in her studies w/ music around. If I study a lesson or doing something serious like writing I want a serene environment....a peaceful one so I am able to concentrate in what am doing.
• China
5 Jan 09
[b][/b]Sometimes i can concentrate my study while listening to music,at that time ,i can’t hear what the music is ,like it doen't exist?When i was in my college,i seat myself in the study room,in order not to be disturbed by others,i alwayes listening to music,it's a good way to concentrate on my study?