Research is conflicted as to whether or not music helps or hurts the study process. The ideal study set up is a calm environment that is free from distractions. Before turning to music, you may want to try a white noise machine to see if that helps. However, sometimes there are distracting noises that we can only escape when we put our headphones on or earbuds in. So for those times when need to turn to music to
My personal favorite is the Deep Focus playlist available on Spotify!
Deep Focus
1. Intense Studying
Creator: Spotify
The Review: This station is perfect for keeping that brain sharp and focused, with a mix of sonatas, concertos, and more from classical superstars like Bach, Mozart, and Dvorak. While some classical stations can relax you to the point of feeling like you might fall asleep, this playlist is full of upbeat tempos that will keep you awake and on track.
2. Superior Study Playlist
Creator: Taylor Diem
The Review: In case you want to listen to a vast selection modern instrumentals (over 900 songs appear on this list), this Spotify station for studying focuses on soundtracks like those from movies like "Amelie," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," and "The Hours" along with instrumental beats from artists like Explosions in the Sky, Max Richter, and Levon Mikaelian.
3.Workday Lounge
Creator: Spotify
The Review: Don't let the title fool you; this isn't boring elevator music. Chill out and listen to the mellow beats of artists like ST*RMAN and Azul Grande, which just might be calming enough for someone with a crazy life to feel like they can take a deep breath and pop open the books.
4. Acoustic Concentration
Creator: Spotify
The Review: Plug in and open up this lyric-free Spotify station to enjoy music from Michael Hedges, Antoine Dufour, Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Keagy, and over a dozen more guitarists who mesmerize with quick arpeggios and harmonizing chords.
5. NO LYRICS!
Creator: perryhan
The Review: For those who are interested in hearing a mix of more modern songs reworked by instrumental artists, this station has you covered. From 90s grunge classics from bands like Nirvana to songs like Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" on violin by David Garrett or Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" on piano and violin by The Piano Guys, there's something you'll want to hear.
Creator: mogirl97
The Review: This is also a Spotify station relying heavily on remixes of modern songs, remade by instrumental bands. The Vitamin String Quartet, Lindsay Stirling, 2 Cellos, and The Piano Guys play their versions of popular songs like "Royals", "Pompeii", "Back to Black", "Chandelier", "Let It Go", "She Will Be Loved" and more. They are great for keeping you energized but won't be as distracting as if you were listening to the original versions.
Creator: coffierf
The Review: Electronic dance music might not be what first comes to mind when you think of studying, but for some students, possibly those kinesthetic learners out there—the kind who need to keep moving to concentrate—this station, with over 50 songs and growing, may be just what you need.
1. Brain Food
This playlist features hundreds of lyric-free songs all in one place. It’s described as “hypnotic electric,” perfect for when you need to sit down and study for a while. These tracks are interesting and stimulating for your brain, but don’t include any lyrics so you won’t get distracted! The songs will feed your brain while you work so you don’t get bored while studying.
2. Chill Tracks
Chill Tracks is again, a more calming electronic playlist if that’s what you’re in to. It’s a chill enough playlist to study with on in the background. However, some of the songs on this one do have lyrics, though, so it might not be perfect for a reading-heavy study sesh. This is a list of songs for a day you’re looking to focus, but are looking to relax while you do so, too.
3. Totally Stress Free
This five-hour playlist is sure to keep you calm while studying. Created by Spotify, it includes some of the lightest and most upbeat songs to reduce your study stress. The mellow tunes are the perfect background to your work and won’t preoccupy your mind with too many lyrics.
4. House Focus
Created by Spotify, this playlist is over six hours long and features the most up to date songs in the genre. It’s filled with songs labeled as “Instrumental House” and feature catchy beats that can almost make you forget you’re even listening to any music at all. And the best part? No lyrics!
5. Trabajo Relax
This three-hour playlist is perfect for the daily study grind. It’s known for helping with concentration because the songs are so calming to listen to. Relax with these chill-out songs while you work hard on your classes!
Chillhop
1. Stress-Free Studying – An Indie/Folk/Pop Playlist uploaded by alexrainbirdMusic
Top Songs: MyKey — “Running With The Wolves,” Adam Holmes and The Embers — “People Come People Go,” and OH LA KANADA — “Fantasy”
Just as the title reads, this playlist is definitely an indie collection. If this is your type of music, then you should really look into checking out the uploader’s channel. The channel has been around since 2011 and is run by Alex Rainbird and his girlfriend Beth as they search for the best independent indie artists. Besides study playlists, they upload various compilations ranging from coffee house playlists to road trip playlists to winter vibe playlists and more.
This playlist is filled with upbeat warmth through soft acoustic guitar rhythms, catchy vocal melodies and harmonies, in addition to fun beats that will keep your body moving in your seat. Each song is different yet similar, but are still drawn together by musical style. I’m not one for much indie music, but this Youtube playlist really kept me pumped when working.
2. Progressive House · Relaxing Focus Music · 24/7 Live Radio uploaded by The Grand Sound
Top Songs: Lanvary — “Slingshot Ride.” It’s a 24/7 radio livestream, so just tune in!
With the rise of YouTube Music, there is a vast number of live radio channels, and this is one of them. I never fully understood what features YouTube Music had to offer, but even without paying for a subscription to YouTube’s changes, I love using its music feature now. One feature that I use pretty much daily are the radio livestreams. So many channels stream different kinds of music all day every day, and with so many artists ranging, YouTube has done a fantastic job at leveling the playing field with other music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora.
If you are in more of a dance or electronic club kind of mood, this is the set for you. This YouTube playlist is beyond amazing because it heavily features the odd and futuristic sounds that tend to reverberate throughout house music. Brilliant synth, steady dance beats and a strategic bass in each song give you the grooviest, most upbeat study session possible. With so many elusive sounds, this playlist will make you want to throw a party just as much as it will keep your brain wired.
3. Relaxing Jazz & Bossa Nova Music Radio – 24/7 Chill Out Piano & Guitar Music Live Stream uploaded by Cafe Music BGM channel
Top Songs: It’s a 24/7 livestream radio, so just tune in when you can!
If coffee shops are your safe havens, then here is one of the most satisfying and de-stressing radio livestreams out there. Mainly consisting of smooth piano music, this YouTube playlist is one of the most relaxing ones I’ve heard. It radiates a typical Starbucks vibe on a rainy day, but that is what makes the playlist itself.
You’ll be able to imagine a busy coffee shop in the morning, but you won’t have to deal with the people, lack of elbow room or constantly opening-and-closing door. Go ahead, get comfy in the warmth of your surroundings, make the best coffee for yourself and get to pumping out all of this work for total concentration!
4. lofi hip hop radio – beats to relax/study to uploaded by ChilledCow
Top Songs: I love the entire playlist!
Similar to YouTube playlist No. 3, this radio livestream is very chill, smooth and laid back. Now I’m sure everyone has seen the lofi stereotype memes about not being productive when you are trying to be productive, but most times, lofi playlists really work. Each song has a steady groove and unfamiliar vocals that are hard to make out, which is ideal for studying.
All of these factors add up to form a blend of wicked cool beats that I only discovered a few months ago, and they give off an almost surreal vibe from taking in the music. I love this playlist so much simply because it really calms me down and eases my mind so I can focus on my work. It’s my top YouTube playlist to turn to when I’m seriously studying, and it might turn into yours as well.