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Do you think that it’s helpful to listen to music as you study? Or are you one of those people who find it insanely distracting? I find it great to have some background music when I’m doing easier tasks, like writing notes or making mind maps. Today, I have 8 songs that I love to listen to when I need to get through those tasks quicker, without distracting myself. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment them below, or email me at cadymccabe.business@gmail.com.
This list is presented in no particular order, I find all of these songs to be equally as effective.
Aria Math- C418
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone my age who hasn’t played Minecraft at some point- it’s a rite of passage. And if you also have those fond memories of building farms and taming wolves, you would probably recognize the game’s unmistakable soundtrack, which consists of repetitive but serene songs. While you might be used to these songs accompanying your village raids, they are surprisingly effective in productive study sessions. Many people, including myself, use these songs by the German composer C418 to drown out distractions. A favourite of mine is Aria Math. Give it a listen by scanning the Spotify code and see what you think!
In Case Of Trouble- Darren Korb
Let’s keep on theme with video game soundtracks. This song from the video game “Bastion” is quite similar to C418s music, in that we have those same repetitive, but serene elements. I usually find myself listening to this song while I’m summarising notes, and it’s so helpful to be able to escape into a simpler world.
The Portrait- James Horner
I’m still mad about the fact that there was definitely room for two on that door. But I’m not mad about the incredible and unmistakable score of Titanic. If you’re not a fan of vocals when you’re studying (neither am I!), then this instrumental track might be just what you’re looking for! I find that this calmer music allows for more focus when it comes to more demanding tasks like memorising.
Primavera- Ludovico Einaudi
I remember hearing someone describe this song as a “neoclassical bass drop”, and that is honestly one of the best descriptions I’ve heard of it. This beautiful song has a perfect mix of calmness and serenity, build-up, and upbeat and fast-paced instrumentals. I find that this song demands focus; you won’t find yourself zoning out while you’re listening to it, which is perfect if you often find yourself staring into space in the library.
Nice Music for a Meal – Smooth Piano Jazz Jams
This song is the definition of background music; it’s like musical white noise. If you’re someone who needs to have music on, but find yourself focusing more on the music than on your workload, I would definitely recommend this song to you.
River Flows In You- Yiruma
Did we all collectively forget this tear-jerking song? I remember it was the background audio to every emotional video of soldiers coming home, and now I realise that I haven’t heard anyone else play it in years! It’s no surprise that this melodic piano piece is perfect for some relaxing studying or reading. It is gentle and easy on the mind, which allows the music to take a backseat while you’re focused on your study.
Utopia- BʊBBLE
This is actually the song that inspired me to post this blog- I remember as I was listening to it, I just zoned completely into my work. It was almost surreal. Another serene, repetitive song that reminds me of videogame background music. I find my productivity boosts so much when I put this on repeat. Hopefully you’ll find the same thing.
Facebook.com- Memo Boy
This is one of my favourite songs, not just for studying, but in general. It actually ended up being my second most played song on my 2022 Spotify Wrapped. The upbeat and repetitive rhythms of this song give me a boost in motivation and adrenaline, perfect for when I’m doing repetitive tasks in my study, like transferring notes or making flashcards. I feel like these are one of those songs that I can never get sick of no matter how often I play it, and it’s definitely my favourite song of this list!
Those are my top 8 picks. Remember, what works for me might not necessarily work for you, so I would really love hear your feedback too!
Make sure to drink water today,
Cady ◡̈
Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, thank you.