I. Introduction

Columbia Law School Exam regulations forbid the use of portable music players during exams. Specifically “You are not permitted to access any programs or files on your computer or on other electronic devices during a proctored exam.” I imagine that this is not a particularly unique policy relative to other law schools. However, in light of the cognitive benefits of music, this policy should be reconsidered.

II. Reasons for the policy

The ban on electronic devices is not arbitrary: the Law School does not want its students to access the internet during an examination. Examinations are (generally) not collaborative endeavors, so restricting in-exam communication seems fairly logical. But the policy may be overbroad in scope. Many modern music and phone devices have the internet. In addition, many of these same devices can text across a phone network. But I would argue that these sorts of activities on a phone device are both obvious to a half-awake proctor and unhelpful to the examinee. With the sparse amount of time an examinee has to write her exam, the trouble of accessing the internet on a credit-card sized device hardly seems like a true advantage to me. Even if that were the case, we are adults. Some professors understand that we are adults and trust their students with a take home exam with instructions not to use the internet. If the law school were truly serious about preventing collaboration among its students during exam taking or about preventing access to the internet, it would not allow take home exams. Because, it is far easier to both access and get away with accessing the internet on a take home exam. Finally, there is the possibility of bringing in recorded material—this is a moot issue with an open note examination.

III. The Benefits of Music

A non-exclusive list of the benefits of music are listed below: - Stimulates the imagination - Connects the right and left brains - Makes other unusual connections between parts of the brain - Regulates mood and relieve stress - Improve motor skills - Pain relief

There is even evidence that music can temporarily offset the symptoms of autism. And it has the power to help people get laid at bars and nightclubs.

Of course, Music can also be very distracting at times. I would probably not listen to lyrical music during an exam. But, since any use ofa music playing device would be optional, we need not consider the downsides.

At any rate, music can stimulate creative legal thought. To the degree that creative thought is valued in the exam taking process, music can be a significant aid to some. Most important, a 5 minute interlude of listening to music in the middle of an exam can calm the nerves of the often nervous examinee. Music can be the boost of confidence a student needs.

Personally, when I listen to music, I experience many of these effects. Sometimes, I will listen to a song on repeat, over and over, because I find it particularly inspiring. Music is often like a drug that send my mind in 8 diffferent directions at once. Most important to me, music can change and even dictate my mood—I feel more liberated and can express more of myself under the influence of music.

VI.. Conclusion

Despite the fact that at least some professors do not care if their students are listening to music (I asked my Torts prof last semester and she did not care), I'm resigned to the fact this change is unlikely to happen due to either sheer laziness or closed mindedness of our administration. In the mean time, I'll listen to the music in my head. I. Introduction

Columbia Law School Exam regulations forbid the use of portable music players during exams. Specifically “You are not permitted to access any programs or files on your computer or on other electronic devices during a proctored exam.” I imagine that this is not a particularly unique policy relative to other law schools. However, in light of the cognitive benefits of music, this policy should be reconsidered.

II. Reasons for the policy

The ban on electronic devices is not arbitrary: the Law School does not want its students to access the internet during an examination. Examinations are (generally) not collaborative endeavors, so restricting in-exam communication seems fairly logical. But the policy may be overbroad in scope. Many modern music and phone devices have the internet. In addition, many of these same devices can text across a phone network. But I would argue that these sorts of activities on a phone device are both obvious to a half-awake proctor and unhelpful to the examinee. With the sparse amount of time an examinee has to write her exam, the trouble of accessing the internet on a credit-card sized device hardly seems like a true advantage to me. Even if that were the case, we are adults. Some professors understand that we are adults and trust their students with a take home exam with instructions not to use the internet. If the law school were truly serious about preventing collaboration among its students during exam taking or about preventing access to the internet, it would not allow take home exams. Because, it is far easier to both access and get away with accessing the internet on a take home exam. Finally, there is the possibility of bringing in recorded material—this is a moot issue with an open note examination.

III. The Benefits of Music

A non-exclusive list of the benefits of music are listed below: - Stimulates the imagination - Connects the right and left brains - Makes other unusual connections between parts of the brain - Regulates mood and relieve stress - Improve motor skills - Pain relief

There is even evidence that music can temporarily offset the symptoms of autism. And it has the power to help people get laid at bars and nightclubs.

Of course, Music can also be very distracting at times. I would probably not listen to lyrical music during an exam. But, since any use ofa music playing device would be optional, we need not consider the downsides.

At any rate, music can stimulate creative legal thought. To the degree that creative thought is valued in the exam taking process, music can be a significant aid to some. Most important, a 5 minute interlude of listening to music in the middle of an exam can calm the nerves of the often nervous examinee. Music can be the boost of confidence a student needs.

Personally, when I listen to music, I experience many of these effects. Sometimes, I will listen to a song on repeat, over and over, because I find it particularly inspiring. Music is often like a drug that send my mind in 8 diffferent directions at once. Most important to me, music can change and even dictate my mood—I feel more liberated and can express more of myself under the influence of music.

VI.. Conclusion

Despite the fact that at least some professors do not care if their students are listening to music (I asked my Torts prof last semester and she did not care), I'm resigned to the fact this change is unlikely to happen due to either sheer laziness or closed mindedness of our administration. In the mean time, I'll listen to the music in my head.

-- MatthewZorn - 19 Apr 2010

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