Rewarding yourself with your favorite music can provide the motivation you need to learn new information. Research from 2019 suggests music can activate the same reward centers in your brain as other things you enjoy. Perhaps you promised yourself a reward in order to get through the study session, such as the latest episode of a show you like or your favorite takeout meal. If you’ve ever grappled with a long, exhausting night of homework, your resolve to keep studying may have started to flag long before you finished. If you feel overwhelmed or upset, putting on some music can help you relax and work more effectively. Studying can be stressful, especially when you don’t entirely understand the subject material. You’ll likely have more success with studying and learning new material when you’re feeling good. Research suggests that a good mood generally improves your learning outcomes. In a 2021 study, patients in ICU said they felt less pain and anxiety after listening to music for 30 minutes than before.

However, the picture is complex, and more studies are needed. Results suggested that listening to relaxing music makes a physical difference to the way people respond psychologically and physically - in terms of hormone response - under stress. In a 2013 study, 60 female volunteers carried out a psychological stress test while listening to relaxing music, sounds of rippling water, or no particular sound. It can also help reduce stress and promote a more positive mindset. It mostly helps in indirect ways, but those benefits can still make a big difference. Unfortunately, music isn’t quite that powerful. It would be fantastic if you could put on a playlist or song that could help you knock out a problem set or memorize all those dates for your history final, wouldn’t it?

Does homework help you learn