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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hamline chapter.

While some people can’t listen to music while they study, music can be stress relieving and productivity-inducing for others. Silence looms like an empty void. Music fills it, bringing focus and clarity. With midterms either happening currently or rapidly approaching, the semester’s workload is beginning to increase. Here are some song suggestions that will hopefully make studying less painful and help you to concentrate.

We’re going to start off with ten songs without lyrics, including a wide variety of genres to satisfy all searches:

  1. Nuvole Bianche ~ Ludovico Einaudi

To start off, “Nuvole Bianche” is a beautiful piano song with a rippling melody that will calm and also motivate you for your studies.

Photo by Pexels.

  1. Chasing Stars ~ Moux

“Chasing Stars” is also a piano song, but with a calmer vibe. Its rich tones will relax you when you’re stressed about your upcoming test. Both of these songs are amazing examples of what you can find on Spotify’s Peaceful Piano playlist for the Spotify users out there. If you like these two, go check it out for more gentle piano songs.

  1. Bring Him Home ~ The Piano Guys

Rich cello, beautiful melody—The Piano Guys will ease that tension of yours.

  1. Arrival To Netherfield ~ Dario Marianelli, “Pride and Prejudice”

This song incorporates some classical themes throughout with its moving orchestra and warm ambiance . It also includes more upbeat strings to spice up studying.

  1. Now Is the Time To Leave ~ August Wilhelmsson

Moving into ambience music, “Now Is The Time To Leave” uses deep tones to fill the silence.

  1. Peace ~ Paul Kelly

“Peace” is another song that uses tones and soft vibes to relax your studying hours.

  1. Aware ~ Inkognitone

With flowing water noises and gentle chords, “Aware” will bring you into the moment and propel your focus. Unfortunately, it’s only on spotify.

  1. Outro ~ Tash Sultana

Make studying interesting with this flowing guitar melody and echoing notes.

  1. Fanshawe ~ El Ten Eleven

This song is definitely a feel-good study song with an upbeat guitar to remind you of the happy things in life.

  1. Intro ~ The xx

Calm, deep tones.

For those of us who are able to study to music with words, here’s a compiled list of ten great songs to help you get in that academic mood.

Sunlight, studying, and music… the perfect combo. Photo by Emma Harrington.

  1. All We’ve Known ~ Haux (album)

Trying to pick just one song from this album to put on the list was too hard. Each song is a beautiful blend of gentle guitar, percussion, and vocals that create a beautiful, although usually sad, melody.

  1. Milky Eyes ~ Mogli

Check out Mogli’s “Wanderer” album for songs like this one: tender vocals with gentle studying beats.

  1. Holocene ~ Bon Iver

“Holocene” uses a moving guitar melody that will bring a little light and joy to your late night studying hours.

  1. To a Poet ~ First Aid Kit

Folky, with graceful harmonies.

  1. May It Be ~ Enya

Enya’s enchanting voice will give you the tranquility to finish each assignment on your plate.

  1. Sweetheart of The Sun ~ Eric Barnum

For all the choir lovers out there, or even people who have never heard a choir before: it’s great music to study to. (PS- go check out the link to hear the Hamline A Cappella Choir from years past!)

     7. Autumn ~ Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni’s soft folky voice is a great background vibe while studying. Also, check out her French albums for more gentle tunes to study to.

     8. The Lightning Strike ~ Snow Patrol

Add a steady beat to keep you up to pace with your busy schoolwork.

     9. New Slang ~ The Shins

A feel-good song with some strumming and mellow vocals to supply some positivity.

   10. Courtside ~ Triathlon

Besides being a great song, “Courtside” will add some soft beats to help you groove with that essay.

Hopefully, this diverse list will provide some good suggestions for homework music. Best of luck studying!

Emma Harrington is a first year at Hamline University studying English and Creative Writing. Besides writing, she enjoys singing in the A Capella Choir, dancing, running, and being outdoors.
Skyler Kane

Hamline '20

Creative Writing Major, Campus Coordinator for Her Campus, and former Editor and Chief for Fulcrum Journal at Hamline University