Sometimes, it can feel impossible to focus on schoolwork when so much is going on around you and in your head. You can try to push through, or you can get a little help from the immersive power of music. Put on your headphones, block out what’s unnecessary, and let these songs help you focus on getting that assignment.
- “Across the Stars (Love Theme from Attack of the Clones)” – John Williams, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
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“Anakin and Padme might be a toxic couple and the Star Wars prequels might be cheesy as hell, but their soundtracks are masterpieces. Particularly good for getting focussed is “Across the Stars,” which is peaceful, emotional and will carry through to the end of your project.
Alternatively, do what I do on a deadline: listen to the “Cantina Band” song from Star Wars: A New Hope on a loop until my brain becomes numb to it, I enter a trance-like state of anxiety and somehow finish the assignment. ”
-Emma de Blois, fourth-year writing student.
- “He’s a Pirate” – Klaus Badelt, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
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“Nothing helps motivate me more when I’m writing a paper. I literally find myself typing faster when this song comes on.”
– Ashlee Levy, third-year writing student.
- “Ponyo Flies” – Joe Hisaishi, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Original Soundtrack.)
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“The Ponyo soundtrack has a wide range of moods: fun, quiet, emotional, dramatic. “Ponyo Flies” gives me such a serotonin hit and motivates me so much. If Ponyo can run across the backs of fish to become human, I can write a 250 word response! “The Grand Finale” and “Sosuke’s Tears” are also great songs if you need something a little quieter.”
– Beth Mushumanski, fourth-year writing/English honours student.
- “Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22, II. Menuetto” – Antonín Dvořák
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“I love classical music. In elementary school, one of my teachers would play Beethoven during our math quizzes because she was convinced exposure to classical music would make us smarter. Ever since then classical music has been my study go-to. I don’t know if it made me any smarter, but it definitely helps me think more clearly when I am trying to focus on readings or write an essay.”
– Alison Batallas, first-year English student.
You can find these songs, and more study-friendly music, here. Hang in there, you’ll get through this study session, and all of those to come!