As a senior, I have enough experience to know that finals week isn't usually the hardest part of the semester. In my experience, finals week is actually a sort of relief compared to the weeks that come before; if anything, we should call it finals month. We've reached that point in the semester when final projects and papers are beginning to pile up, all of the end of the semester activities are planned, and everyone besides seniors are trying to fit in their last chapel requirements.
My intuition tells me this isn't the week to write a long, wordy article that no one has time or energy to read - I have big papers, too! My main priority right now is to create a good study playlist that will get me through the 3 papers, 2 exams, and 2 graduate school applications on my to-do list. Not every student listens to music while they study, but I know that the right music can really boost my productivity. We may not have the same taste in music, but here's a few artists and albums that I've found make great study music.
1. Rogue Valley
Recommended Album: False Floors
Features: soothing guitar, sleepy harmonies, woodsy vibe
Best Songs: Hunters and Trappers, Should to Shoulder Around the Fire, The Wolves and the Ravens
This band is great for rainy days, Oregon Coast trips, and quiet days in the library. Not everyone likes to listen to music with lyrics while they study, but I find lyrical music great for tasks like paper outlining, creative work, and making study guides. Some studying is monotonous, and this band really fills in the space without getting in the way.
2. Sufjan Stevens
Recommended Album: Carrie & Lowell
Features: quiet instruments, breathy vocals, somber tone
Best Songs: Should Have Known Better, The Only Thing, Eugene
Sufjan Stevens has a very subdued tone, and is often a little sad - but I really appreciate his quietness when I'm wanting to write and instrumental music isn't cutting it. This is another artist who really helps fill in the space during tedious work - but can also serve as a background for paper writing.
3. Johann Johannsson
Recommended Album: Theory of Everything (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Features: no lyrics, inspiring symphonic pieces, piano melodies
Best Songs: The Origins of Time, The Dreams That Stuff Is Made Of, Forces of Attraction
I love movie soundtracks as study music, but not every soundtrack is great for studying (e.g. any Marvel movie). This soundtrack, however, is great for studying. I haven't seen the movie, but I really enjoy Johannsson's style of composing and how much he emphasizes the piano in his pieces. He's also got some great solo piano.
4. Dustin O'Halloran
Recommended Album: Piano Solos, Vol 2
Features: Piano solos, variety of themes/ moods
Best Songs: Opus 20, Opus 21, Opus 37
This album by O'Halloran is great for studying because there's very little to distract you; it is simple, well-composed solo piano music. I'm a huge fan of piano, and think it's great for writing and deep focusing.I also appreciate that all the songs on this album are opus numbers, rather than titles; it really allows the album to feel like one cohesive work.
5. Beethoven
Recommended "Album": Symphony No.7 in A Major, Opus 92
Features: excellent themes, full symphony, classical style
Best "Songs": Allegretto, Presto, Allegro Vivace
Classical music isn't for everyone, but I promise listening to this will make you feel smarter. Beethoven really knew what he was doing, and this is one of my favorite symphonies of his. If you want to understand all the movements and names, go find a music major; otherwise, just enjoy how classy you feel studying to this!
6. Jose Gonzalez
Recommended Album: In Our Nature
Features: mellow vocals, guitar, minimal instrumentals
Best Songs: Down The Line, In Our Nature, The Nest
I love Jose Gonzalez, and really recommend all of his albums. He has a particular style, but really helps me settle down to a few hours of studying. Another rainy day artist, Gonzalez has such a calm style of singing that I have no problem listening to him while writing or reading. He is a go-to for me during afternoon or evening study sessions.
7. Dario Marianelli
Recommended Album: Pride & Prejudice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Features: no lyrics, piano melodies, flowing music, quiet pieces
Best Songs: Dawn, Georgiana, A Postcard to Henry Purcell
Marianelli has composed so many amazing movie soundtracks: Kubo and the Two Strings, Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, and of course Pride and Prejudice. I love his smooth, simple style. This is another great pick for people who don't like lyrics while they study.
Hopefully this selection gives you some new (or forgotten) music to add to your study playlists. Good luck this finals month, and remember to give yourselves breaks!
