Nawal Haq
BAND karo ye gaanay waanay, aisay kon parhta hai? is something many of us grew up hearing. You sit down with your chemistry book, put on your headphones and soon hear, “Ye kaisi parhai hai?” Defeated, you unplug them. We have always been told that music distracts us from studying. Parents say it, teachers hint at it and few question this belief.
I experienced this while completing 30 differentiation problems for homework. I was listening to my favourite study playlist when my dad asked, “Aren’t you studying?” I had been working for an hour, yet the music made him assume otherwise. It happened so often that I began wondering: Why is music treated as the enemy of studying in Pakistani homes? Is it really that disruptive? Research suggests the answer is more complicated than we think. The effects of music depend on the task, the type of music and individual preferences.
A 2021 study by Franziska Goltz and Makiko Sadakata examined how people use background music during activities such as reading, writing, memorizing and critical thinking. Participants listened to music nearly 39 percent of the time while reading and 43 percent while writing. Most said it helped them concentrate or improve their mood, while others used it to stay awake or drown out household noise. However, participants used less music during difficult tasks, particularly memorization. For easier, repetitive activities, they were less selective about what they listened to. This suggests that students adjust their music choices according to the demands of their work.
The type of music matters, too. Participants generally considered songs with lyrics the most distracting, especially when the lyrics were in a language they understood. Pop music also raised concerns, while calm instrumental music was viewed as less disruptive. This makes sense because lyrics compete with the brain’s resources for reading and memorization, whereas instrumental music avoids that verbal interference.
Another 2021 study, by Luca Kiss and Karina J. Linnell, explored how background music affects attention. Students completed a demanding task in silence and with music of their choice. Researchers tracked their focus and asked them to report whenever their minds wandered. With their preferred music playing, students spent more time focused on the task.
The researchers linked this improvement to mind-wandering. Music may prevent people from drifting into unrelated thoughts, helping them remain engaged. During dull, repetitive tasks, the brain naturally seeks stimulation. Music can provide that stimulation, helping maintain alertness and concentration.
Together, these studies show that music is not necessarily the enemy of studying. Its effects depend on what we study and what we listen to. Lyrics may hinder memorization, while instrumental music can make repetitive work more manageable. For some, music helps solve quadratic equations; for others, it supports tackling kinematics numericals. Some may concentrate best in silence.
Ultimately, studying effectively means understanding what works for you. Music is a tool, not a universal distraction. Instead of following untested rules, students should learn to recognize their own needs and choose accordingly. And who is best placed to judge that? You, not the voice at your door asking, “Ye kaisi parhai hai?”
—The writer is associated with NIXOR College in Karachi.
