Noisy environments can make it hard to focus. If you’ve ever tried to revise or finish work in a library, café or on public transport, distractions while revising can hinder progress. Sound can affect focus because of how easy it is to get caught up in background noise when your brain is trying to focus on the work in front of you. This is why noise cancelling headphones can be a very useful study aid. They can give you the best of both worlds: to keep your workflow smooth, and reduce the distractions from public background noise.
What Makes Headphones Good for Studying?
Noise cancelling headphones can be especially useful over regular headphones because you don’t have to make your volume too loud to hear the music or block out external sounds. That way, you can prevent eardrum damage while also listening to calming music. They help with comfort for longer sessions since they’re comfortable, affordable, portable, and have a long battery life so you don’t have to worry about them dying mid-revision session.
ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) headphones generate an exact inverted sound wave, often referred to as “anti-noise.” When ambient noise and the anti-noise collide, they cancel each other out, leaving you with just silence. ANC is highly effective for commuting, traveling, or working in loud environments, as it allows you to listen to music, podcasts, or movies at lower, safer volumes without having to drown out the noise around you.
Recommended Headphones
Soundcore Q30, JBL Tune series and the Sony CH720N. All three are budget-friendly options for students who want to save money and still reap the benefits that noise cancelling headphones bring to the study sessions. Popular models known for ANC technology include the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort lines.
Best Beginner-Friendly Headphones (For Different Types of Students)
Budget-Friendly Headphones: Soundcore Q30
It’s affordable, has strong value and good ANC for students.
Best for Library Study: Sony WH-1000XM5
Has excellent noise cancellation, blocks distractions well and is highly ideal for quiet focus.
Best for Long Revision Sessions: Bose QuietComfort
Living up to its name, it is great for comfort, has a lightweight feel and a long battery life. Easy to travel with or use at home.
Best for Commuting Students: Sony CH720N
Also very portable, lightweight and practical for travel.
Best Premium Option: AirPods Max OR XM5
It is expensive, but high quality and creates immersive focus environment during use.
Conclusion
Focus matters a lot while revising. Even short distractions around us can ruin a study session for long enough to lose momentum and progress that could have been made. Environment matters a lot too, so it’s also important to be properly equipped to ensure maximum focus if you prefer outdoor spaces for your revision sessions and work. Productivity can be significantly aided by focus apps, but it isn’t the full picture, because you still need to sit down and do the work. It can be intimidating for many learners and students. There are more distractions in our day-to-day lives than there have ever been before. Which is why blocking out distractions, even for small chunks of time, can significantly boost momentum and reduce friction to get started. It’s best to choose a distraction-reducer, like the noise-cancelling headphones listed above, based on your study habits and budget.