Writer's Block in Academic Settings
Before we look at the ‘how’, we have to ask the ‘what’ – what is writer’s block and why do students experience it? Writer’s block is a loss or slowdown in the ability of an author to produce new work. For student writers, it might present itself as staring blankly into a blank page, feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand, or struggling to piece together ideas coherently.
Writer’s block causing one to stall in one’s train of thought is especially prevalent at academic level, where there are high stakes for grades, tight deadlines, and complicated terminology and structure to carefully adhere to. A student writing an essay could become stuck when they don’t know where to start the topic, when they want to write an essay, but can’t think of a topic, or when they want to finish an essay, but don’t know how to conclude. Writer’s block can manifest in procrastination, fear, and the quality of the work decreasing.
The Science Behind Music and Productivity
With that in mind, let us now turn our attention to how music can also be a useful ally in overcoming writer’s block. Some research suggests that listening to music can improve cognitive performance, mood and creativity because it makes people feel more positive and relaxed. When we listen to the music we like, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is connected to pleasure and reward, thus creating a more upbeat and positive mood.
Furthermore, some genres of music lend themselves to the task of creating a propitious environment for focus and concentration. For example, background music helps to mask distracting noise, and it creates a stable auditory environment that enables the brain to focus on the task at hand. Such support is crucial in noisy dorm rooms and crowded libraries – places where it is impossible to block out all other sound.
Choosing the Right Music for Academic Writing
Employing music as a strategy to combat writer's block can boost creativity in academic writing, as demonstrated by the positive LinkedIn review of Academized, which emphasizes their effective assistance for students encountering writing difficulties. Good luck navigating your way through the catalogs listening to ‘Study Music’ that won’t make you feel like crying and/or quitting. Since not all study music is created equal, it’s important to examine what helps your focus versus music that’s a distraction in its own right. Here are some general attributes to look for (or avoid) in your study of music.
Lyric: Lyrics, if they are in your language, can be distracting while you’re writing. Sung words can cause you to start processing things verbally but this is a detour for writing. If you must listen to music with lyrics, try something with lyrics in a language that you don’t understand. Instrumental music is always a good bet.
Genre: ‘Classical music is supposed to be good for studying, but is it really?’ A: Yes, but it isn’t the only sound that works. Ambient. Electronic. Nature sounds. The best genre is the one that works for you.
Familiarity: Some students report that familiar music works best as it fades into the background more easily than new music. Others prefer new music that doesn’t trigger memories or emotions that could otherwise prove distracting.
Loudness: Keep it moderate. The music should be loud enough to be easily heard but not so loud that it pushes other thoughts out of your mind.
Creating a Music-Enhanced Writing Routine
To start using music to help overcome writer’s block, it’s important to incorporate it into a consistent writing practice. Here’s how to do so.
- Warmup: Turn up some happy music and give yourself a light brainstorm or an outline.
- Trace to attention music: When you are ready to get down to business, switch to attention music – classical, ambient, or a version of your favorite tunes sung a capella or with instruments only.
- Use music as a timer: Assemble writing playlists to be as long as your desired writing period. If you want to do writing sprints, for example, put together a 30-minute playlist to be your cue that it’s time for a break. Using music as a cue will help you maintain a proper work-rest balance.
- Adjust as needed: Pay close attention to how different kinds of music help or hinder your writing process. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit by changing your music choices based on mood, the nature of the writing task, and the time of day.
Music Type |
Potential Benefits |
Possible Drawbacks |
Best For |
Classical |
Improves focus, enhances cognitive performance |
May feel boring to some students |
Complex analytical writing |
Ambient |
Creates a calm atmosphere, reduces stress |
Complex analytical writing |
Long Writing Sessions |
Nature Sounds |
Promotes relaxation, masks background noise |
May not provide enough stimulation |
Brainstorming and initial drafting |
Instrumental Pop |
Familiar and enjoyable, can boost mood |
Might be too catchy and distracting |
Quick writing tasks or editing |
Video Game Soundtracks |
Designed to enhance focus without distraction |
Can be intense or emotionally evocative |
Timed writing sprints |
White Noise |
Blocks out distractions, creates a neutral sound environment |
Lacks musical elements that some find motivating |
High-distraction environments |
Sure, music can be a great ally to overcome writer’s block but it also poses some challenges. Here are some of the most common problems students experience and how to solve them.
- Distraction: If you’re singing along to songs or paying more attention to the music itself than your writing, consider playing only instrumental versions of songs or ambient sounds.
- Mood mismatch: Sometimes it’s just not happening; the mood of the music doesn’t match the tone of your work. In this case, switch to something more in tune with your writing’s emotional world.
- Music dependence: Music can be of assistance, but do not become dependent on it. Write in different locations, including in silence, and work on developing a flexible system.
- Technical dilemmas: Streaming music can interrupt your flow with stalling or advertisements. Download playlists or invest in ad-free service to reduce inconveniences.
Music as a Catalyst for Creativity
While music helps with concentration and writing productivity, it can also improve one’s creativity. When you are struggling with how to formulate a topic or construct an argument, music can stimulate new ideas and perspectives.
Listen to music of the period or culture – if you are writing about 1920s American literature, jazz could put you in the spirit!
Alternatively, music can be used to stir feelings that relate to your purpose for writing. Like, if you’re composing a piece that requires you to persuade or convince others of something, then it might be good to be in the mood for that topic, and gesticulating and rhythmic music might be suitable to help you reach that mood. Or if you’re writing something reflective, then calmer, considerative types of music might be helpful in reaching introspective feelings.
The Role of Silence
Although this article is about music as a means to break writer’s block, silence plays a role in writing, too. Some students report it’s helpful to shift between music and silence. Silence can help you think deeply and is useful when struggling with a complex idea or polishing your arguments.
In addition, using periods of quiet to help set up important decisions about your paper, or to look at your work through a critical lens while editing, can be good for your writing. The ebb and flow of music and quiet allows you to create a dynamic work environment and, by doing so, keeps your mind alert.
Personalizing Your Approach
However, remember that what works for you to overcome writer’s block might not help the other student. On the other hand, if you cannot work when the music is blasting, see if you get into a productive groove with more subtle tones. Just experiment until you find your music.
Keep a journal or log of your sessions, recording what music you listened to, and how you felt during the session – how productive you felt, and so on. After a while, you’ll develop an idiosyncratic understanding of the musical conditions that enhance your writing. You can then fine-tune that through self-reflection. And your academic writing routine will have an unbeatable condition for success.
Integrating Music with Other Writing Strategies
While music can be a useful aid, it works best as part of a broader range of proven strategies for writing academically. Here are some ways you might integrate music into your arsenal of writing moves.
- Pomodoro Technique: Create playlists for your work and rest periods in the Pomodoro Technique. Use fast music only during breaks to boost energy, and slow-paced tunes with your focus-enhancing sound during your writing period.
- Freewrite with some mighty ambient or classical music so your thoughts can move with the music, off and on the page. Then let them flow.
- Playlist outline: Organize your paper outline into a playlist, essentially creating a song for each new part of your outline. As you move through a section, switch to a new song or genre to keep things lively and fresh.
Rhythmic music can also help you build consistency in pace as you read over your words. Edit: Music with a steady beat can help you maintain a consistent pace as you read over your words.
Conclusion: Harmonizing Music and Academic Success
Overall, music can be an effective tool for combating writer’s block in students who write on an academic level. Because the effects of music are rooted in neuroscience, students can improve their performance through understanding the science behind music, choosing songs that work for their writing tasks, and incorporating music into an overarching writing strategy.
Keep in mind that getting around writer’s block is a process involving individual trial and error. What works for one student may not for another, and you should be patient with yourself as you try new musical approaches to see which work with your writing style and academic needs.
In the end, you want to be comfortable with your writing process and your musical choices existing together in harmony. When you find this happy medium, you will likely discover that once-feared writing assignments don’t seem so bad after all – perhaps even enjoyable. And so, the next time you are faced with a blank page and a fast-approaching deadline, press play on your favorite study playlist. The right melody might just be the key to unlocking your college success.