As my last prelim (before finals) approaches, I set up my study schedule and dread the upcoming days. Studying can be very draining, but, the playlist I listen to, somehow gives me the motivation and energy to prepare for the prelim. Sometimes when I drink coffee, I still have a hard time focusing on what needs to be done, but when I put on my headphones and crank the volume up, I suddenly feel hyper-focused. Recently, I have opted to listen to more classical music playlists. The calming music helps relax my mind. I often feel overwhelmed by how much I need to do, but listening to music has helped me hone in on one task at a time. Listening to music is a study habit that has been with me since the start of high school.  Without music, I honestly feel that my school work would be much more dull and tedious.

From the discussion, I found it very interesting to hear what music means to everyone. A good point that came up was: should we separate an artist from his/her music? For me, I find it hard to separate Kanye’s personal life and his beliefs from his music. Whenever I listen to his music, I can’t help but think about what he stands for and his beliefs. I feel that I am supporting an artist, as a person, when I listen to their music, which is why I consciously choose what kind of music I listen to.

If you are struggling to study, it might be worth playing some music in the background.