When the time comes to study for a big exam, a lot of students face distractions such as dorm mates goofing off in the hallways or roommates watching TV on full-blast. But going to the library to seek out some peaceful study can be next to impossible given all of that coughing and page-flipping in what ought to be a quiet library environment. As a result, a lot of students prefer listening to music while studying. Indeed, some studies show that listening to music can lead to better results on an exam versus listening to background noises such as traffic and people talking.

Choose Your Music Wisely

However, don’t just fill up your MP3 player with a random playlist just yet. The type of study music can make a difference. For example, listening to music with lyrics could have a negative effect on your study results if the course involves reading and writing since the words in the song could have a distracting effect. Likewise, the lyrics could throw off and confuse a student who is trying to memorize things in order. In other words, if you are a fan of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber you might be in for some disappointment.

Go Classical

So if you are looking for good Spotify playlists, what kind of music should you seek out? One solution just might be classical music. Studies have found that listening to classical music can reduce blood pressure. However, no such effects were found when the subjects listened to pop or jazz. If true, a playlist that includes Bach, Beethoven and Mozart could hold the key to reducing stress when you have that all-too-important physics or history test.

Find the Right Balance

Music has a way of lifting us up with its level of intensity, but also leaving us feeling depressed when the melody is low-energy. This is why it is important that your playlist finds the right medium level of arousal. In other words, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with its use of thunderous percussion and cannon sounds might not be ideal music for studying. Likewise, Moonlight Sonata and Gymnopedie no 1 are probably a bit too mellow when a student needs music that sets the right mood. Piano Concerto No. 23 by Mozart is a good example of a classical piece that is neither too fast nor too slow.

Modern Alternatives

But what about students who have no interest in classical music? Fortunately, there are plenty of contemporary instrumental options for your playlists. For example, Hans Zimmer, James Horner and Thomas Newman are well known for their instrumental musical scores in such Oscar-winning movies as Titanic and American Beauty. Trance Music is another great option when you are seeking music for focus. One study found that music can put subjects in a good mood when it is pleasant and does not contain rapid changes in tempi. The right blend of music keeps things interesting but at the same time, the repetitiveness of the beats prevents you from becoming distracted.

Unleashing Creativity

Putting together the right playlist can also be beneficial when writing research papers, and there appears to be more leeway in terms of the type of music. For example, music with 50-80 beats per minute calms the mind and enhances logical thinking. “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake and “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus are two examples of songs that fit the mold. Songs by Katy Perry and the Rolling Stones are also full of emotion, but in a way that can benefit your essay writing especially in the academic fields of Drama, English, and Art. If you would like further assistance with writing your academic papers, EssayVikings can provide you with an array of helpful resources, including custom essays directly related to your assignment.

Music Festivals Galore

Music is a great way to unwind, which is why creating the right playlist is so important. But beyond that, what better way to have fun while you’re young than to seek out the best music festivals for students? Whether you are into legendary artists such as Iggy Pop, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Iron Maiden, or prefer current chart-toppers such as Sia, Rihanna and David Guetta, you are certain to find a music festival that has you musical interests in mind.