Calming music for studying

Sometimes, it’s hard to focus–I know. I’ve been there. I hated it when I had my math packet out in front of me, a mechanical pencil resting at the side, and my eyes reading the questions but not taking them in. Fortunately, I found that music sometimes calmed me down enough to study. I don’t mean the type of music that you can sing along to; singing to songs doesn’t really help with focusing. But music from different languages, or just music in your own language but with such dragged out words that it’s impossible to comprehend, makes great studying music. When I kept listening to these songs, my mind naturally equated calming music with studying time. Thus, whenever I heard a song I had listened to while studying, I would unconsciously start preparing myself to study.

I’ll share a few of the songs I listen to while studying. Perhaps they might also help calm you down enough to finish those last-minute math or physics assignments (I do not recommend listening to music while actually reading material, such as books or science journals):

Enya - River

A happy and fun to listen to type song. There are no lyrics, so singing shouldn’t bother with your studying! I find that any music by Enya is great studying music since the songs are very focused on the instrumentals. The voice is more like an accompaniment rather than the part that’s holding everything together.

Mikuni Shimokawa - Karenai Hana

I’m a sucker for piano music. I usually find them very calming–maybe it’s due to my piano background. But I really love this song even though I have no clue what she’s singing about–the background piano is just a plus. However, sometimes, it is hard to concentrate while there’s singing, even though I don’t understand it (but, after listening to it many times, I’ve remembered all the sounds). Thus, it’s great that there’s also a piano version that I can just listen to in those times. Also, as a bonus, there’s a French version of this song as well.

Le prince d’Egypte - Avec La Foi

I can’t find a streaming version of the song, but you can watch the section from the movie with the song here. I love the music from the Prince of Egypt, even though I remember that I didn’t like the movie that much. When I was going through a French phase, I found this song. I still find it great to listen to while studying.

Overall, I think any song that’s not too heavy with drums, electric guitars, and a bunch of other modern instruments thrown together can be calming. I hope this sample of my selection of songs can help you while studying. If not, don’t force yourself to listen to something you don’t like! But hopefully, you’ll find that you can use music to your advantage as well.