Do you love listening to music at all hours of the day? Are you struggling to compile the perfect playlist to write those dreaded essays? If you answered yes, you are in exactly the right place. Finding the right songs to soundtrack revision is vital to getting the work done. After all, aren’t libraries just silent discos without the dancing?
Some simple dos and don’ts
First of all, do not spend all your time making the perfect revision playlist instead of actually revising. It’s about as effective as making really pretty notes that are pretty useless.
The formula for a perfect playlist is different for every person. Anything from Grime, Jazz, Pop or Indie music might be your go-to. But, whatever floats your boat, there are a few simple things that might help. Most importantly, make sure you like what you are listening to. Revision is painful enough, without poor music choice making it worse. Having a playlist where you enjoy each song means you will not be distracted by skipping through bad songs.
Next, try to mix up your playlists. Some people (myself included) prefer to listen to one playlist for revision. However, if you really like an artist, maybe switch up the playlists every so often. This way, you can avoid associating an artist with the time you cried in the library because the week three content was just too difficult to get your head around.
Change things up
Alternatively, change your playlist when the activity changes. For example, when I’m writing an essay, at the point where I am referencing any sources, I change the music I’m listening to, and I always proofread in silence. Rewarding yourself with your favourite music when taking a break is also a great idea for motivation, as it will differentiate working from resting. Use whatever motivates you!
Repetition is definitely something I would discourage in a playlist. Although you may like it, to keep yourself accountable by setting goals in a particular timeframe (e.g. by the end of one album you will have gone over two topics) it can be draining to have music on a loop that reminds you just how long you’ve been studying – or procrastinating – for. You might even end up learning the order of the music quicker than the topic you are revising.
My revision playlist
Quite frankly, in my not at all biased opinion, my playlists are a work of art. From the start of my A-level studies, all the way through to (almost) the end of my degree, I have changed this playlist a few too many times to count, and finally hit the jackpot. Originally it was just some of my favourite songs, which was an eclectic mix of artists to say the least. So, I decided to make it more calming by using slower or acoustic songs.
Unfortunately for my grades and my family, I soon realised that revising in my bedroom to any songs with lyrics soon turned into a one-woman karaoke session. The fact that my terrible singing voice would clear a room, does not stop me from belting out a tune.
At that point, my sister (hi, if you’re reading this) suggested that I listen to music in another language. A sensible suggestion, given I can only speak English and learning other languages in school was far from my forte. Surely I could not sing along to songs in another language, right?
Wrong! That idea went down the drain very quickly. To this day, I still have no clue what those song lyrics mean.
The right music
Around this time, I found lo-fi music, which is perfect for me as it has little to no lyrics. So it is impossible to get distracted by pretending I am performing at Wembley. The songs are slow and relaxing, so no unnecessary stress is added by a fast-paced tune. Bingo! I have used the same playlist ever since.
For those of you reading this that cannot be bothered to go through a similar process, I have included a link to my revision playlist below. Use it to your heart’s content if it is your kind of thing. Happy listening!
For those of you reading this that cannot be bothered to go through a similar process, I have
included a link to my revision playlist below. Use it to your heart’s content if it is your kind of thing. If
not, well, I really will not know either way. Happy listening!
Revision – playlist by Jen Prince | Spotify
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