What You Should Listen To While You Study
Finals season is upon us… for many students, this means papers to write, projects to prepare, and exams to study for. The key to success lies somewhere between late nights, lots of caffeine, and possibly… the right choice in study music.
So, what should you listen to while you study? We are here to find out. Let’s compare what other people listen to while they study.
Classical Music
When you feel like slamming the laptop closed, the calming effects of classical music might be just what you need. For me, the classical sounds make me feel like I am creating the art through my keyboard, the same way they are with their instruments. Study music without lyrics is also beneficial because it avoids adding words or wandering thoughts to your mind.
Recent studies also found a link between students who listened to classical music during lectures or while studying and higher test scores. Our brains break down all the information we take in every day into smaller segments, so it is easier to comprehend. Listening to music allows our brains to practice paying attention to events and predicting what will happen next. This expands our memory and our brain’s ability to problem-solve making it easier to write, speak, or answer exam questions quickly.
Music In A Different Language
If study music without lyrics isn’t stimulating enough, or maybe you don’t like the classical sound, music in another language might be the right choice for you. One semester a friend and I took our final exam in the local Mexican restaurant. With loud, energetic Spanish music playing in the background, we were motivated, engaged, and not distracted by singing along.
Listening to music in another language is also good for learning the culture and getting familiar with the vocabulary. Even if you aren’t trying to master the language if you listen enough, you might become familiar with words or phrases.
Movie Soundtracks
Some people enjoy listening to the soundtracks from movies they love. These scores offer something more modern than classical music but still calming and free of distractions. Popular study soundtracks include the Harry Potter Series, Star Wars, and Interstellar. Hans Zimmer is a well-known German composer who has scored over 150 films including The Lion King, Top Gun: Maverick, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Dark Knight.
Here is a playlist that features many of these to try…
Lo-fi Music
If you want to romanticize your studying and add a little ambiance this might become your new obsession. Lo-Fi, which means “low fidelity” music, embraces imperfections and utilizes raw sound. It often incorporates static, background hums, and ambient noise to create an unpolished product.
This option brings in all the same benefits. It can reduce stress and offers no lyrical distractions. The engaging acoustic melodies allow our brains to focus on the task at hand and can boost cognitive performance.
The only downside is that it could be considered overly calming and may cause you to become tired making it hard to follow through on your homework or studying plans.
Rap Music
If you are the type of person who brings energy to the library, rap music might be your go-to. Dancing and singing along can keep you excited, motivated, and confident. With lots of attention-grabbing beats, transitions, and catchy lyrics you will have no choice but to get things done. This type of music might be good for creative work like graphic design or visual art.
Podcasts
If you prefer environments like a busy coffee shop, you might enjoy listening to podcasts while you study. Sometimes hearing someone talk to us is comforting.
With endless genres of podcasts such as pop culture, true crime, sports, you name it, there is something for everyone. Listening to a podcast about the topic you are studying can expose you to new information and reiterate the information you already know. If multitasking is best for you, listening to a podcast about something completely unrelated to your work might help you better balance your thoughts.
Summary
No matter where or how you choose to study we all experience the same struggles. Exhaustion and anxiety are part of the academic lifestyle. But It is all about finding what works best for you. Discovering the way your brain processes information, and figuring out if you are a visual learner or a hands-on learner, is all part of the process. Trying to make it as enjoyable as possible is the key. Give a couple of these playlists a try and see if anything works for you!