Imagine there’s an important test the next day, and you need to start reviewing for the exam: do you listen to music as you study? Or do you prefer reviewing in silence? There is no right or wrong answer to this controversial question, and plenty of studies have been done in attempts to come to a conclusion regarding whether or not it is beneficial to study with music. Many can argue that studying with music distracts them from focusing on the work they are doing. However, listening to music while working or studying can have great benefits if done correctly.

Before diving into the potential benefits of studying with music, it is important to factor in all the different ways there are to listen to music while studying. First, there’s the different types of music that one can listen to while working. Whether that be classical music or heavy metal, the genre of music people listen to while studying can heavily influence how well they can intake information and get work done.

According to Phyllis Medina, PhD, Program Director of Psychology at the University of Maryland Global Campus, instrumental or ambient music is the best bet when it comes to studying. The lack of lyrics will not be distracting but will still be able to block out any internal or external distractions, allowing one to be able to concentrate with a clear mind.

On top of avoiding music with lyrics while working, it is also recommended by Healthline to stream commercial-free music so there are no breaks in concentration on the material being worked on. For example, if the apps being used to listen to music are apps such as Spotify with advertisements playing every few songs, it may be a good idea to download a few songs and listen to those while working instead.

Another tip is to listen to music that one does not have strong feelings about. Although one could be entirely immersed in their work, if a song that they really enjoy comes up, it may be tempting to start listening more to the music playing and become distracted from the work in front of them. When creating or selecting playlists to listen to, be careful to choose songs that will not pull one away from the focus on their work.

The type of studying also matters when considering whether or not to listen to music while studying. According to Healthline, lyric-less music can help break large chunks of information down into smaller pieces to digest at a time, and music can also be a motivator on a late night of studying and help one memorize information quicker.

When studying material that requires more memorization and analysis, instrumental or classical music can highly benefit students. The music acts like a barrier between them and the outside world, helping to shut down any buzzing thoughts that linger in their minds while working.

Music can also drastically change one’s mood, switching quickly from stressed and anxious to positive and joyful, which can boost productivity. When the brain perceives particularly moving or bright pieces of music, the body releases dopamine, which can override feelings of stress and worry from studying for long periods of time.

Although the decision and impact of studying with music ultimately depend on every individual’s personality and study habits, if studying with music is something that one’s never tried, it is definitely worth trying a new study method.

Here is a study playlist: