With final exams fast approaching, college students are under an enormous amount of stress. Being a senior, I have had my fair share of this stress and have found ways to make study sessions more bearable. One of the main things I discovered was music or background noise as these helped me concentrate and romanticize being a college student. Music motivates me to do the best I can because I feel transported to another world. Here are a few playlists from YouTube and Spotify that I’ve been using this semester to help get me through it.
- Quiet Days Waiting for Christmas by Grass Cotton
I found this playlist a couple of days ago and have been listening to it almost every day. The playlist focuses on calming piano music that is great to listen to while studying for an exam or working on any assignments. The songs on the playlist are modern and upbeat, which is different from the typical classical songs that are included on these playlists. The songs get you energized to study while relieving stress. This playlist is almost 2 hours long with no ad breaks, so you don’t have to worry about being interpreted when you’re studying. The music also doesn’t distract you from what you are working on, so I tend to use this when I don’t want to work in silence.
- Autumn Evening Ambience with Relaxing Fireplace & Rain Sounds by Cozy Rain
I listen to this when I want to create a calm study environment but don’t want to listen to music. This ambiance is one of my favorites because I am a fall girlie and love anything with rain and a fireplace, and this video includes both. I love studying with the rain in the background because it makes me want to wrap up in a blanket with a cup of coffee and focus on my studies. The video transports you to a cabin in the woods where you can get cozy and leave the stress of the world behind. Studying on a rainy fall day is the best type of weather in my opinion and this video allows you to do just that for 3 hours uninterrupted.
- Gilmore-Inspired Fall Feels: Cozy Playlist Picks by Medeea Em.
This is a playlist I discovered when I was in my Gilmore Girls era, (still currently in it but that’s beside the point) and I genuinely enjoyed the songs. I didn’t know what to expect when I first listened to the playlist, but it quickly became one I played on repeat. The songs create a fall/winter vibe and don’t draw your attention away from your work. There are some songs with lyrics but the rest are instrumental, so I put this on when I need to motivate myself to study. It includes indie songs and others with a similar genre, so it definitely gives off a Gilmore Girls vibe. It creates a scene in my mind that I’m studying for an exam like Rory, which makes me focus more because I don’t feel as pressured to get my work done. By creating a relaxed environment, this playlist has helped me study for various quizzes without feeling overwhelmed.
- K-Drama OST Piano Collection by Shin Giwon Piano
The fundamental part of a K-Drama is its OST, and as an avid fan, I love studying with it in the background. Although I love these songs, I prefer to listen to the piano versions because I can focus on my studies without wanting to sing along. The playlist includes OSTs from Goblin, Hotel Del Luna, and many other well-known dramas. Even though there are many different songs, the transitions between them are very smooth so you aren’t distracted from studying. I find this playlist comforting and uplifting because it gives me a sense that everything is going to be okay and I can get through the study session. The great aspect of this playlist is that the music can be listened to by anyone, you don’t have to watch K-Dramas to enjoy it!
These are only just a few of the playlists I have used and am still using to get through this semester. I believe that music sets the tone for the type of study session a person will have, and it is important that you find the ones you work best to. I wish you luck with your studying and finishing the semester strong! You can do it!