Noise to Silence: A Comparative Study of Black University Students Transitioning from High to Low Noise Environments

Environmental noise is a pervasive stressor linked to mental health issues like anxiety and cognitive decline. This research investigates how environmental noise impacts the mental health and academic performances of Balck students who have transitioned between high-noise versus low-noise environments, particularly comparing Nigeria and the United States of America. A novel, custom designed questionnaire was used for this research and 32 participants who had studied in both contexts were surveyed. The instrument was validated with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84 and captured variables assessing student perceptions of noise, stress, institutional support, and cultural adaptation. Utilizing a survey-based study with open-ended reflection, results show that low-noise environments significantly improve learning and mental clarity. Themes of focus, calmness and the use of noise-cancelling tools emerged from qualitative responses. This research proves the critical role of soundscapes in shaping academic equity and mental wellbeing. It recommends noise sensitive campus design and robust support systems to mitigate the negative effects of noise pollution and ease students' adaptation to new soundscapes. The study therefore emphasizes the psychological and academic importance of acoustic environments and urges institutions to adopt policies and designs that promote healthier, quieter learning spaces.