Now Playing: Exam Season
A look at the diverse music tastes students have when it comes to studying.
Spring is just out of reach, and exams are drawing closer. How do you keep the ghosts of lectures skipped at bay and focus on studying when the beach and video games and trips downtown are right around the corner?
The answer, for many students, is music, which serves as a way to clear the mind, and adds some flavor to studying (sometimes it also serves as a distraction but that’s neither here nor there). The type of music students listen to while studying varies, but it can usually be grouped into one of five categories.
The Classics
Some types of music are known for making a good studying ambiance. Classical music is true to its name, and so are other types of non-lyrical beats like Lofi beats, jazz, or that which can be classified as “elevator music.”
Many studies suggest instrumental music helps increase focus by lowering your stress levels and engaging both hemispheres of the brain. These classic options also help create a productive environment by setting the atmosphere. Whether it’s a coffeeshop ambiance for an english essay or movie soundtracks that make you feel like a mathematical mastermind, the classics are tried and true ways to stay on the grind.
On Loop
If music without lyrics isn’t working, but you still don’t want to run the risk of getting distracted, the loop button may be a good go-to. You pick a song you like (but prepare to be sick of it) and queue it up for however long you have to work on your next assignment. After the first few times, the lyrics will fade out of your consciousness and you’ll be able to work without too many external variables or the worry of finding the perfect playlist to study too. As an added bonus, you’ll have more incentive to finish studying faster if you just want the song to end after several hours.
Disco All the Time, Study Occasionally
For the “I-can-multi-task” crowd, the true test of strength comes from the 2000s throwback playlist lined up with enough Billboard 100 hits to overwhelm a DJ. If you’re actually getting work done or taking extended breaks to dance is anyone’s guess, but sometimes the extra boost of energy from pop music is just what you need to get the job done.
(Not) Sponsored by Nintendo
At the risk of getting a copyright infringement, many studiers are also avid gamers who listen to video game music while studying. This can range from nostalgia-ridden numbers from the likes of Minecraft and The Legend of Zelda, to famous video game song covers and parodies, and everything in between. There’s some overlap with these soundtracks and the classics, but this genre of studying music is perfect for anyone looking to turn their mountain of projects into a speedrun challenge.
Wild Cards
Everything that cannot fit under the first four categories has a home in this category. Maybe you have the perfect, curated playlist of 70s jams that no one else has heard of, or maybe you have “10 hours of silence occasionally interrupted by metal pipe” as your first choice of “song.” Whichever works for you, this is a judgement-free zone.
Take the time to experiment with the genres of music that you study with to see what gets the best results. This can differ between subjects, days, and even your current mood, so flexibility is key. Turn up your choice of music (or silence) and open those books—good luck with finals!
