Finding the Perfect Sound for The Best Study Session

This is a feature that Apple music has that can tile a tab for music anywhere on the screen. It allows the listener to see what they are listening to while giving them easier access to both skip and replay buttons and to the music in the queue. Paige Lum / Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi

I think most people agree that sometimes when you work, it’s hard to keep your mind on task. Either that or your mind just doesn’t want to work at all.

Well, that’s what study music is for. It blocks out the noise of everything else so you can just focus on what you are doing without any chance of distraction. This is your guide to the types of music commonly used to study that actually work.

Instrumental Music

When it comes to study music, I’ve noticed that it’s very important for the songs to be instrumental. Music with lyrics is hard to listen to while studying because your brain is being occupied with focusing on the lyrics of a song rather than what you’re working on, eliminating a common distraction.

This type of music doesn’t have to be only classical or lofi, it could be anything you want.

A little tip that I learned from listening to this type of music is that whether you like listening to classical or instrumental pop covers, make sure you pick songs you don’t know or else your work session will turn into a karaoke session.

Ambient Music

Ambient music is a cool concept to discover and try out for yourself. There are many compilations on youtube like “cozy coffee shop music” or “relaxing ambient space music” that are meant to immerse you in an environment in your mind where you focus best.

You can basically type in an environment where you would like to study and let the music take you to these places in your mind. Once you feel comfortable in this environment, it’s easy to get lost in concentration.

When you’re finally done with the assignment, you’ll find that either time has passed without you even realizing or it took you faster to finish this assignment than you thought, two feelings of completion that leave you in a good mood by the end.

Natural Sound

Don’t think you’re a music person? Why not try no music at all? Natural sound has the same effect that ambient music does in the fact that it puts into the environment of your choosing, but without the musical accompaniment. For example, natural sound includes rain, wind, sounds of forest, or even city noises if that’s your happy place.

The difference between hearing natural sound versus just your surroundings is that sometimes it's better to choose the environment you want to be in for optimal studying. Not only that, but you can control the sounds you hear without distractions like hearing other people talk or a loud, sudden noise. Usually you hear that these sounds are more for sleep or meditation, but they can also be used for focus.

I listen to rain or a storm at night to help me sleep, and the hustle and bustle of a city to feel like I’m ready to work and get stuff done. It just depends on where you feel you get the most done out of your time, or even where you feel the most relaxed and in your own space.

Podcasts, TV Shows, & Movies

Though it’s not always recommended, listening to dialogue while you work is a way of blocking out other distractions. These types of media act as background noise while you work, so it doesn’t really matter what you’re listening to. Plus, sometimes switching your mind from study focus to what you’re playing in the background can give your mind a break once in a while during a work or study session.

The only thing to be aware of when listening to TV Shows is that it can be a slippery slope. The human mind wasn’t made to multitask and needs to focus on one thing at a time, meaning if you want to focus on what you’re listening to, you’ll find it hard to focus on what you’re working on.

If you’re listening to something new or a series you got immersed in and wanted to finish, you will suffer from either of two things. You’ll get distracted and end up switching tabs to the series, or it works too well as background noise and you’ll just have to rewatch everything later, which can become a hassle at times. Podcasts might work better to avoid these issues.

In this modern world, we have access to many types of audio and video at our finger tips. Whether it be finding videos on youtube or using Apple Music, Spotify, or podcasts to find focus playlists, all those resources are there at your disposal and you might as well use them. Study sounds may just be what you need for max productivity.

Especially for those who have a hard time keeping focus, it’s a good way to eliminate distractions. It almost feels like you're in your own space, a little bubble you can complete anything in. By the time you leave this internal bubble, you’ll feel great and proud of yourself that you got something done and you can reward yourself however you like.

But remember, everyone is different. It may not work for you and that’s okay. It’s however you like to focus and study. Maybe trying something new will help you find your rhythm, immersed in a new environment. So go, lock yourself in your room, take out your laptop, turn on your music, put on your headphones, and get to work!