How many of you think that putting on music while studying is just a distraction? Many students listen to music when they are free, enjoying a break, or even before studying. But they never listen to music while studying. What if I told you that music can really enhance learning, focus, and memory? Yes, that’s true. Science offers numerous evidence and also outlines some important boundaries.
If you have ever tried studying for hours for the Bar exam, MCAT, or CFA, you know the struggle. It's obvious to have mental exhaustion from studying continuously. The struggle isn't just about memorising everything, but studying with focus and lower anxiety. Many students face this problem, but what if I told you music comes here not as an entertainment part but as a study tool? There are many musical people who have tried out, but one that stands out for its unique ability to calm your mind and increase focus is called drone music.
Drone music isn’t about melody or complex beats. It's about long, sustained notes or tones. The music consists of a continuous hum of a harmonium, the low vibration of an organ, or ambient soundspaces. It feels more like an atmosphere than a song.
Music has a long-lasting impact on our bodies. It has been associated with emotional resonance, motivation, and even cognitive improvement. Unlike pop or classical music that draws your attention towards melody changes or rhythm, drone music creates a static and steady backdrop. Neuroscientists call this process “auditory habituation”. In this process, the brain tunes out the repetitive sounds and frees up cognitive space. Thereby, it helps to focus entirely on the particular task.
In simple words, if you are struggling to learn new concepts, music makes it easier to organise your thoughts and improve comprehension. Graduate students have reported noticeable changes when music has been a part of their routine. Preparing for professional exams requires engaging the prefrontal cortex. It’s the brain region that is responsible for reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Drone music here helps to reduce distraction and repetitive sounds. It almost blocks the surrounding sound and provides a steady and grounding sound. According to Dr Masha Godkin of National University, listening to music activates both hemispheres of the brain. Thereby, it helps in better learning and sharper memory. She explains that a certain type of music helps to move the brain from beta(awake state) to deeper alpha and theta states. These are the states important for learning and creative thinking.
Science proves this. A 2022 study in the Journal of Advanced Medical Education found that students who are exposed to lower frequency ambient tones before giving mock exams can lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is known as the body's stress hormone. Not only did it help the students remain calmer, but it also performed better in the timed recall test.
Another neurocognitive model from 2018 explains that drone-like sounds stimulate both hemispheres of the brain. It also lowers the activity of the amygdala, the part of the brain that triggers anxiety. This creates calmness and a focused mind, exactly what exam candidates need.
Neuroscientific inquiry reveals how music stimulates some specific regions of the brain. It stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the region that is responsible for planning, organising, and short-term memory. The hippocampus works more like a storage system that turns facts into long-term memory, which you can keep and use later. Music can also trigger dopamine release and improve long-term attention. A 2018 neurocognitive model demonstrated that music enhances both global and local parts of the brain, which establishes a direct link between music listening and cognitive improvement.
The impact can be seen in real-world experiences. Law students on Reddit’s study forums share how switching from lo-fi playlists to drone tracks by Brian Eno or Eliane Radigue helped them to sit through eight-hour study marathons without any mental fatigue. One medical student described in an interview said that playing drone music during MCAT preparation helped her to maintain concentration for a longer period of time and reduced anxiety.
The key to benefiting from this music lies in the intentional use. Drone music isn't meant to be casual listening. It works best during study sessions. The psychologist recommended keeping the volume low, almost just for awareness. So that high volume does not become a distraction. Just like Pavlov’s bell, your brain begins to associate drone landscape with intense focus. Over time, simply turning on your playlist can shift your mind directly into study mode.
People respond to music differently. A 2021 study found that extroverted students can handle loud and complex music without any distraction. Even though it has been shown to improve focus and gain energy from it, while on the other hand, introverted students find the same music to be distracting and to lessen concentration. This shows that both personality and environment play a huge role in how music affects learning.
Even in reality, it has been seen that college students who rely on drone music have reported enhanced memory recall. A high school valedictorian shared in an interview that switching from pop music to drone music resulted in improvements in study sessions with focused vision and mental clarity.
To benefit, experts suggest creating a dedicated study playlist. Radigue, or even curated “Drone for Study” playlists on Spotify. Choose instrumental tracks for reading and complex concepts. Reserve your favourite song as a reward after completing a specific task.
Ultimately, success in exams like the Bar, MCAT, or CFA isn't just about intelligence but learning to manage time, stress, and energy over months of preparation. Drone Music can help you stay focused, lift your mood, and increase your memory when chosen for a particular task. It simply clears your mind and keeps you distraction-free. Whether you are a graduate student who is preparing for competitive exams, try to make studying more enjoyable. Finding the right musical track can help lift your mood and make you stress-free. Understanding the research and listening to the right music can truly become a tool for academic success.
References:
- Godkin, M. (2021). Music and brain activation: How sound influences learning and memory. National University Research Insights.
- Mori, K., & Iwanaga, M. (2014). Two types of arousal in music listening: Responses to low- and high-frequency tones. Journal of Music Therapy, 51(3), 257–273.
- Lim, H. J., & Bang, H. (2018). The effects of ambient sounds on working memory performance. Neurocognitive Research Review, 22(4), 345–359.
- Tarrant, M., North, A. C., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2000). Effects of music on exam anxiety. Psychology of Music, 28(2), 146–156.
- Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(4), 179–193.
- Journal of Advanced Medical Education (2022). The impact of ambient tones on cortisol levels and academic performance in students. JAME, 26(2), 89–97.