HHS needs to unblock music websites such as Spotify on students’ chromebooks. Music helps many people in being productive. Music has been proven in many studies to help focus. This is backed up by reputable organizations, such as WebMD, Healthline , Connections Academy, and more. Florida National University performed a study in 2007 with findings that listening to music does help students focus. Business News Daily says that music helps increase mood and productivity. Connections Academy states that “When we listen to music while studying, the music provides our unconscious attention system something to focus on. Keeping the ventral attention system busy drowns out other distractions and allows your child to concentrate on their schoolwork.” 

Furthermore, high school students are capable of making decisions for themselves. Many students find music helps them study and can even ease anxiety when it comes to schoolwork. Teachers can regulate their own classrooms and restrict students’ use of music during instructional time, but as long as students use earbuds, their music will not interfere with other students’ learning.

Administrators may worry that allowing students to use their phones for music will open the door to cheating and clash with the new phone policy, however, music doesn’t have to come from our phones. If our school district unblocked Spotify and similar sites, students could listen to music on their computers. Phones would stay away and untouched during the school day. 

This simple action could easily increase productivity, and create a more comfortable learning environment within our school. 

If administration wants to improve the learning environment and improve students’ learning, students should be allowed to listen to music during independent study. 

For more information:

Liberal Arts- Does Listening to Music really help you study?