People who play music while studying more likely to have better grades

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

“SOUND STUDYING HABITS”

IF PICKING A PLAYLIST WAS YOUR FIRST STEP WHEN STUDYING, YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HAD A HIGH GPA, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH.

THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF CSU GLOBAL ASKED 2,000 AMERICANS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STUDY HABITS.

RESULTS SHOW HALF OF SAY THEY REGULARLY LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE STUDYING (49%), AND SIX IN 10 (60%) SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO STUDY BETTER WITH SOME BACKGROUND NOISE.

THAT PROVED TO BE ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS. NEARLY THREE IN FIVE (58%) OF 18-25-YEAR-OLDS NOTED THEY LISTENED TO MUSIC WHILE STUDYING, COMPARED TO ONLY 41% OF 58-76-YEAR-OLD RESPONDENTS.

THIS TREND CONTINUES INTO THE WORKPLACE, WHERE CURRENTLY TWO IN THREE AMERICANS LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE WORKING. 

NINE IN 10 RESPONDENTS FEEL MORE PRODUCTIVE AT WORK WHEN LISTENING TO MUSIC (89%), AND ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER SAID IT MAKES THEM LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING MORE (84%).

THE SURVEY FOUND THAT CLASSICAL MUSIC (31%), R&B (28%) AND COUNTRY (28%) ARE AMONG THE TOP GENRES PEOPLE WOULD RECOMMEND FOR A PRODUCTIVE STUDY OR WORK SESSION.

TOP GENRES TO LISTEN TO WHILE STUDYING

• Classical - 31%
• R&B - 28% [TIED]
• Classic - 28% [TIED]
• Country - 28%
• Rock - 26%
• Old favorites - 26%
• Gospel - 25%
• Jazz - 23%
• Hip hop - 22%
• Pop/Top 100 - 21% [TIED]
• Instrumental soundtracks - 21% [TIED]