UPSC Preparation: Does Listening to Music Help while Studying?

The UPSC civil services exam 2021 prelims will be held on June 27th 2021 and the IAS mains exams is planned to be held on September 17 2021. Lakhs of youngsters across the country will take a shot at this prestigious exam. The competition is intense and this is evident from the dismal pass percentage of less than 1%. Candidates have a tough time trying to complete the vast UPSC Syllabus.

There are a lot of recommended study techniques designed to increase a student’s concentration and retention capabilities. One of them is listening to music while studying. This method is actually employed by many students and some swear by it. But there are a lot of contradictory studies in this regard. While some studies recommend listening to music, others don’t suggest this because of several reasons. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of listening to music while studying.

Benefits of Listening to Music While Studying

The following are the benefits of listening to music while studying for UPSC exam

• It enhances your attention. Having background music can help you focus.
• Studies have shown that listening to music improves your memory and this phenomenon is called the ‘Mozart Effect’.
• It is seen that listening to music also improves your ability to do mental maths.
• Music can calm people who feel the pressure or stress up during IAS exam preparation.
• Listening to music releases dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that controls the brain pleasure centres. This means that listening to music relaxes an individual.

Drawbacks of Listening to Music While Studying

Following are the drawbacks of listening to music while studying for the Civil Services Examination

• It is observed that depending on the type of music you are listening to, it can negatively impact your ability to concentrate.
• It is observed that loud music is a distractor.
• When you are memorising something in a particular sequence, listening to music may not help you while studying.
• Lyrics in the music can sometimes distract and diminish your cognitive abilities.

Things to keep in mind while listening to music while studying

• Don’t listen to music in full volume. Let the volume be minimum for maximum benefit.
• Avoid music with lyrics because it may affect your ability to concentrate on your studies.
• The best music to listen to is classical music as it is harmonious. This has been proved by studies as well.
• You can listen to peaceful instrumental music also.
• Avoid too loud and heavy rhythmic music. If you are a fan of heavy metal, you can listen to it in your free time! This is a personal choice, of course. But studies have pointed out the benefits of quiet and harmonious music while studying.
• You can also listen to chants, sounds of nature like rain, animals, etc. They have a relaxing and calming effect.
• Make sure to select the playlist beforehand. Don’t spend time in between your studies selecting your favourite song.
• Keep the playlist for 50-60 minutes. This way you will know when it is time for a small break.
• Avoid music on the radio while studying. The RJ’s talk and ads in between are sure to distract you.
• If you haven’t tried listening to music while studying earlier, do try it once. But if you feel it doesn’t work for you and does more harm than good, it is better to study without music.

Candidates preparing for the IAS Exam should know the eligibility criteria for the UPSC Exam mentioned in the linked article.

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2021.

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