While studying for a physics exam, junior Austin Fialkow thought listening to music would help him focus on reviewing the material. However, he said he made a mistake.

“I thought the music worked to my advantage until I started the first problem on the test,” said Fialkow. “I think I failed it, and I blame the music.”

Fialkow said he stopped listening to music  after that because he found himself singing or being too immersed in the music instead of focusing on his work.

“If it’s a song I actually like, I start singing along, which is a distraction,” Fialkow said.

Stephanie Pitts, professor of music psychology at the University of Sheffield, studies the type of conflict Fialkow experiences.

“Music with lyrics is more likely to be a distraction than instrumental music because of the additional cognitive processes involved in hearing and interpreting language,” Pitts said.

Sophomore Christina Li said if she restrains herself from singing along with the lyrics, music helps prevent her mind from wandering away from her homework.

“I have only so much concentration in a day, and I think listening to music helps get rid of external distractions,” Li said.

Pitts said the extent to which music contributes to concentration or distraction in certain scenarios depends on individual personalities and tendencies. For example, introverts tend to find focus through listening to calm music, or no music at all, while extroverts tend to seek upbeat music.

Fialkow said he uses upbeat music to provide a stimulating environment while exercising.

“If I didn’t have music, exercising would be 10 times more intolerable,” said Fialkow. “Music distracts me from the pain and ‘horribleness’ of exercising.”

Li said she uses music to focus on English homework, but when it comes to math homework, music is an impediment.

“I think music really helps me focus on the creative side of things,” said Li. “But I can’t listen to music when I’m doing math homework. I really do need silence for that.”

Fialkow agrees that the degree to which music provides focus “depends.”

“Music can be helpful, or it can provide more of a distraction,” said Fialkow. “You have to be in tune with yourself in order to make sure the music is acting to your advantage.”