Study music playlists
Utah State University students are gearing up for the end of the semester, getting ready to soak up the sun and leave the books behind for three months. But before Logan can be left behind, the dreaded finals week must be conquered first.
While there are many ways to combat the dreaded finals week, one of the most popular ways for students to find stress relief is to cue up their perfect playlist.
Many students use music as a chance to escape the real world and take time just to breathe before tackling the final weeks of their semester. Others use music as background noise to help them focus on their studies.
Here are some playlists for listening pleasure:
Disney/Piano
Anything with the words relaxing, Disney and piano in the title that can be found on YouTube. These playlists offer a variety of favorite piano covers of Disney songs.
Melissa Jensen, a biology major, said Piano Guys are her go-to jam for studying.
“There are no words so it’s less distracting,” Jensen said. “They do a lot of covers of popular songs, so it’s more upbeat in my opinion.”
Along with Disney piano music, other popular Disney soundtracks are a common choice for many college students. Anything from “Hercules” and “Moana” to “Tangled” and “Lion King,” with an energetic, upbeat tempo easy to sing along to.
Alternative Rock
Shelby Matthews, a special education major, enjoys background noise while she studies.
“I like listening to Coldplay while I work, so it’s always been what I do,” Matthews said. “80s rock obviously doesn’t work because then I’ll bust out singing. This is good because it’s more low-key.”
Movie Soundtracks
Some students choose popular movie soundtracks to study to, to help ease their minds and stretch their creativity. “Pirates of the Caribbean” is among the favorite for many students, including Elissa Sump.
“Honestly the reason why I listen to Pirates, is because it makes me feel powerful,” Sump said. “Like ‘yeah you can do that quiz,’ or ‘yeah, you can write that seven-page essay. You got this.’”
Video game soundtracks as well as intense soundtracks from high action movies are also a hit choice.
Janet Strong is a double-major in business administration and marketing who enjoys listening to soundtracks from movies such as “Star Trek,” “Harry Potter” and “Narnia,” to name a few.
“When you listen to a high-intensity soundtrack, it’s often when characters are in battle or are making decisions,” Sharp said. “I feel like that goes hand in hand with finals. You are making critical decisions about what to study, and the battle to get the best grade.”
Musicals
Others choose musicals, simply because they provide just the right amount of background noise, and the least amount of distractions.
Juan Jimenez finds himself listening to the “Greatest Showman” on repeat.
“It helps keep my thoughts together, helps me stay focused and keeps me smiling,” Jimenez said.
Brad Payne, a student studying mechanical engineering also listens to soundtracks. One of his favorites is “Hamilton.”
“I find I’m more focused on the study material, instead of the music, because it isn’t too attention-grabbing,” Payne said.
New Age
Tayli Craner, an environmental engineering major, listens to the singer Enya to help her study.
“I love Enya because sometimes it’s a little more upbeat than some of the same piano and instrumental songs I listen to, but it still has the same relaxing feel,” Craner said. “I have a hard time listening to pop music or anything too loud because it just distracts me and blurs my thinking.”
— kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu
@kortniwells