By Hunter Grasdal, Third Year Liberal Arts
Second term is starting to get very busy for the majority of us, and slowly finding a seat in certain libraries is becoming increasingly more difficult. With long hours being spent on campus for the foreseeable future, how do we make them more doable for ourselves? Putting on some music whilst doing endless reading is what gets me through. Be that classical music or some alternative folk.
It took me years to actually be able to study with music in the background. I used to need absolute silence when working and studying, but over the years, the inevitable keyboard typing heard in the library not only distracted me, but it stressed me out.
So I simply started off by just putting my headphones on. Then, the silence became boring, and I would make a massive playlist only with classical pieces, then one with some jazz music.
After years of learning what music works and what does not, I can now work to most music (most of the time).
When it comes to how compatible music and studying is, there are studies on this. Experts suggest that listening to music can hinder ones ability to retain information while studying.
But I still do it, I know dozens of people who do it. If I’m going to sit in the horrendous lighting in the Arts and Social Sciences Library, which feels like the lighting in a fitting room, I’m going to need music.
So where do we go from there? When it comes to studying with music in your ears, listening to something without words is the most recommended. Also steering away from new music, and stick to music you are familiar with, so you’re not getting caught up in new sounds.
The most recommended genre of music is ambient music, which does not really have a beat, hence why it is recommended. Most known artists in the ambient genre are Brian Eno and Aphex Twin, and I can confirm that they are brilliant for studying.
Yes, music can affect your studying, but of course, other factors matter. What environment are you studying in? Are you well rested? Do you have the energy you need or are you exhausted before you even open your computer? Sometimes it is that damn phone, and sometimes it’s the hours of sleep you did not get.
It also depends, at least for me, what I am working on. Am I doing a simple reading for a seminar? I can put on most music and be fine. Am I writing my final assessment of the year? I need to strictly listen to instrumental music.
I love ‘HOT TO GO!’ by Chappell Roan as much as the next person, but it does not fit the vibe of my philosophy essays. I stick mostly to my study playlists, and they serve their purpose.
Though there are recommended genres of music to play while studying, sometimes my brain feels as if it's working at a speed the music is not catching up on. So I put on the hyper-pop I usually listen to as I strut to a pres and get everything out.
Alternatively, in moments where I need to challenge my inner Shakespeare, I’ll put on something slower, some piano or a movie soundtrack.
However, on rare occasions, the music, regardless of what it is, distracts me and in pure frustration, I rip my headphones off. Occasions like those are rare, and are usually a sign that I need a break from studying.
I am a big fan of study playlists, and every now and then I test the waters with different music, but as long as there is music. The majority of people I know need some form of noise that isn’t keyboard tapping, even if that is 10 hours of white noise.
It is about being in the mindset of working, and whatever brings you into that mindset is what matters.
Featured image: Sophie ScannellWhat do you listen to when studying?
