I don’t know about you guys, but ever since midterm season hit I have been drowning in school work. This is the time of the year when assignments ramp up, and right when it feels like all of my tasks have been completed, ten more get added to the list. This being said, I’ve had to rearrange my lifestyle to be as productive as possible over the past couple of weeks. Between waking up early to babysit, staying up late for dance rehearsals and all of the college responsibilities that come in between, it has been hard to keep up with motivation. However, there is one critical studying tool that has never failed to put me in a productive mindset: music.
Upon first coming into college, I was a strictly silent studier. If there was any form of noise going on around me I would not be able to focus. Being in college, it is rare to find a study spot free of any sounds or distractions. Because of this, I decided to turn and face the music. After a lot of trial-and-error playlist runs, I have finally pinpointed the kind of music that gets me on the grind. For example, I discovered that it is impossible for me to get any work done if a song has lyrics in it—I need solely instrumental. So for all of you looking for a new way to focus; lock into this article.
This classic study beat can be found at most coffee shops: jazz. Whenever I’m sitting in the BCC Dunkin sipping on an iced latte and trying to work through some quicker assignments, jazz is always on my Spotify shuffle. Jazz provides a cool and calming tune while not being too crazily upbeat to distract me from my work. The sweet saxophone sounds keep my mind awake and active, and time seems to fly as I type away on my laptop.
Another all-time favorite study music style of mine is Lofi Beats. Perhaps late to the game, but I discovered Lofi Beats two years ago when I was a sophomore. I would sit at the island countertop in the Langguth lounge and bang out essays as if it were second nature. Something about its unique upbeat tunes flips the focus switch on in my brain and I am able to focus on my work like no other.
A recent favorite of mine has been movie soundtracks. On the days when jazz is too casual and Lofi is too peppy, movie soundtracks are a surefire way to keep my mind encouraged. Most movies are sure to have some songs that will make you feel like the main character while doing your work; especially if the film has dramatic action scenes. As a big “Harry Potter” fan, I love throwing those tracks on shuffle while I’m studying. Another song I have been loving recently is “Flying” from the “Peter Pan” soundtrack. This song was a Spotify recommendation for me and I immediately added it to my study playlist. It makes me feel like I am “flying” through all of the homework assignments on my to-do list.
Out of all the film soundtracks I have listened to in my studies, one remains on top. The “Interstellar” soundtrack is absolutely unbeatable when it comes to studying. Whenever I am in the Mez and need to drown out the chatter from the Dunkin below, I put “Interstellar” on a loop. I could listen to it for hours on end (and I’m pretty sure I have). Specifically, “Cornfield Chase” from this album scratches my brain in the most perfect way. Put this album on the next time you’re writing an essay and thank me later.
If jazz, Lofi Beats and movie soundtracks aren’t doing it for me, I opt for a classic instrumental tune. One of my favorites is “Sweet Disposition” by Feeling Blew. As a huge fan of the original song by The Temper Trap, this instrumental version is the perfect ambiance to accompany my studies. Another one that has been on repeat recently is “Hearing” by Sleeping At Last. I don’t know how they do it, but this group has a plethora of amazing instrumental songs that I am consistently discovering and adding to my playlist. I love connecting my Spotify to my living room TV and playing these instrumental tracks while I grind my homework out on the couch.
For anyone who has been struggling to focus recently, I hope I have put you on some new motivating music. For me, all of these songs and styles truly feel like caffeine in my mind. A study session is not successful for me unless it’s accompanied by these stellar tunes.
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