We interviewed many students and teachers to find out what they listen to so they can focus while they are studying or grading. The most common answers were country and pop music. 

Many students said upbeat pop keeps their energy up during homework and studying. Teachers shared similar preferences. Both said that sometimes they want to sing along to the song, which can be very distracting especially if it’s constant. 

On the other hand, students and teachers said they also listen to softer music like French music which can be very soothing.

“When I put on some nice French music,” freshman Piper Robinson said, “or something soothing, I can get my work done.”

“Oftentimes when I really want to focus, I actually want to be instrumental,” science teacher Joshua Kornblut says. “So there aren’t lyrics that all of a sudden I find myself wanting to sing along.”

Overall, we saw that listening to country, pop, and soothing music is a big role in most students and teachers studying or grading.