find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
- by Charlotte King
- In Study Advice
Posted Feb. 23, 2015
Building the Perfect Postgrad Studying Playlist
The iPod shuffle function is one of the most useful tools ever created, but there are two definite situations it should never be used in: revising or having sex. In both scenarios, a run of songs that have really got you into the groove can suddenly be disturbed by that one heavy metal song you have or that guilty pop pleasure you like to do the washing up to, and all mood is ruined. To avoid this happening, the playlist is an essential tool. Although probably worth having a different playlist for each; I don’t know how you revise, but there usually isn’t much of an overlap between the two…
So what should the perfect studying playlist sound like? Well, the answer entirely depends on what kind of a studier you are. Some people might prefer non-musical options such as white noise or gentle chatter, but here we’re focusing on music. Some people, for example, find it useful to have different genres for different modules or subjects, finding these helpful to separate topics which, especially at postgrad level, can run into each other. That, or maybe assign each topic its own artist - Arctic Monkeys for anatomy, Bowie for biology, The Cure for cultural theories…whatever it is, pick an artist you’re familiar with and this could help your factual recall in an exam, with your favourite songs being associated within your memory with pieces of information for your exam.
This will work for some, but for others this is too distracting. For many, the simple sound of the human voice is too much of a distraction. There are some arguments that say songs that are incredibly familiar to you lessen this effect because your mind knows exactly what to expect and can therefore place it into the background of your consciousness, but there is by no means an agreement on this. So for many, ambient or classical music might be a more suitable revision tool.
A lot of us are scared by the concept of classical or ambient music, due to the fact we were never taught about it , but the field is so wide that there is the perfect piece out there for you. I, for example, find most classical music a little too ornate to listen to whilst revising (and feel a little too pretentious listening to it in a library full of Beyoncé-listeners), but find modern ambient stuff like Aphex Twin or Brian Eno good, as it has enough of a relaxed vibe to help me revise, but enough of a pop and modern dance music touch to soothe my mind, raised as it was on Top of the Pops and music TV channels.
Essentially, it is a case of working out what works for you in the world of instrumental music. Maybe jazz is more your thing, or movie soundtracks, or even just instrumental versions of your favourite songs (search your favourite artist then ‘strings tribute’ on Spotify and be amazed at what you can find). Whatever works, make a note of it, add it to your playlist, and happy studying!
Related articles
So what should the perfect studying playlist sound like? Well, the answer entirely depends on what kind of a studier you are. Some people might prefer non-musical options such as white noise or gentle chatter, but here we’re focusing on music. Some people, for example, find it useful to have different genres for different modules or subjects, finding these helpful to separate topics which, especially at postgrad level, can run into each other. That, or maybe assign each topic its own artist - Arctic Monkeys for anatomy, Bowie for biology, The Cure for cultural theories…whatever it is, pick an artist you’re familiar with and this could help your factual recall in an exam, with your favourite songs being associated within your memory with pieces of information for your exam.
This will work for some, but for others this is too distracting. For many, the simple sound of the human voice is too much of a distraction. There are some arguments that say songs that are incredibly familiar to you lessen this effect because your mind knows exactly what to expect and can therefore place it into the background of your consciousness, but there is by no means an agreement on this. So for many, ambient or classical music might be a more suitable revision tool.
A lot of us are scared by the concept of classical or ambient music, due to the fact we were never taught about it , but the field is so wide that there is the perfect piece out there for you. I, for example, find most classical music a little too ornate to listen to whilst revising (and feel a little too pretentious listening to it in a library full of Beyoncé-listeners), but find modern ambient stuff like Aphex Twin or Brian Eno good, as it has enough of a relaxed vibe to help me revise, but enough of a pop and modern dance music touch to soothe my mind, raised as it was on Top of the Pops and music TV channels.
Essentially, it is a case of working out what works for you in the world of instrumental music. Maybe jazz is more your thing, or movie soundtracks, or even just instrumental versions of your favourite songs (search your favourite artist then ‘strings tribute’ on Spotify and be amazed at what you can find). Whatever works, make a note of it, add it to your playlist, and happy studying!
Related articles
1 comment
Categories
- Accommodation
- Budgeting
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Courses
- Distance Learning / Online Study
- Fees
- Funding
- General
- Infographic
- International Students
- Jobs and Careers
- Mature Students
- MBA Programs
- Other
- Personal Statement
- PGCE
- PHD
- Student Life
- Student Welfare
- Study Abroad
- Study Advice
- Study In Australia
- Study In Europe
- Study In Ireland
- Study in UK
- Study In USA
- Theses and Dissertations
- Top 10 Lists
- Universities
Beau Oct. 16, 2016, 4:22 p.m.
Thank you ever so for you blog post.