In a previous study we demonstrated that listening to a pleasant music while performing an academic test helped students to overcome stress, to devote more time to more stressful and more complicated task and the grades were higher. Music puts us in a better mood, which makes us better at studying – but it also distracts us, which makes us worse at studying. So if you want to study effectively with music, you want to reduce how distracting music can be, and increase the level to which the music keeps you in a good mood. The study also suggests that duration of music participation impacts academic achievement. Music that is relaxing also helps students with stress and anxiety, thus leading them to study more efficiently. Research has found that listening to music actually lowers your cortical levels.