With midterms well underway, you’re probably finding yourself reluctantly trading free time for study time. You’ve got essays to write, flashcards to make, and notes to review. However, keep in mind that the key to making any study session a little more bearable (other than food, of course) is music. From mellow and relaxing to cheerful and motivating, here are ten songs that’ll perfect your study playlist.
The steady percussion and soothing chorus of this song create the perfect atmosphere for putting your mind to work.
This surf rock tune is catchy enough to get your toes tapping, but not so upbeat that you’ll want to leave your desk and start dancing (save those songs for after studying).
Normally electronic music is too overpowering for studying, but this track features subtler beats. With this song pulsing through your headphones, you’ll feel alert and prepared to crack open the next textbook.
4. The Balance – Royal Tongues
This optimistic tune will instantly brighten your mood, especially after you’ve realized that you’ve been reading about the molecular structure of soil for 4 straight hours.
The steady rhythm of this cheerful song is sure to get your mind back on track if you’re starting to feel distracted.
6. Sex Tourists – French Kicks
This track includes an eclectic mix of instruments that’ll inspire you to think creatively – even if you’re studying subatomic physics.
7. Leaves in the River – Sea Wolf
What’s more relaxing than studying to the sound of the rain? This song makes up for Santa Barbara’s lack of showers with light rainfall noises in the background. Add some acoustic guitar and a calming piano melody, and you’ve got the ultimate stress-relieving tune.
Mesmerizing and dreamlike are the words that come to mind when listening to this song. With unique beats and a hypnotic voice playing through your headphones, you’ll be able to shut out the world around you and focus on the study guide in front of you.
The simple lyrics and guitar riffs result in a laidback tune that’ll make you feel relaxed, but not fully put you to sleep.
No UCSB student’s study playlist is complete without a song from alumnus Jack Johnson. You probably know “Bubble Toes” and “Better Together” by heart, so try listening to “Home” or another one of his notoriously mellow tracks that’s less familiar to you to prevent yourself from singing every lyric out loud in the library.