Exam Playlist: My Top Song Choices to Help You Get Through Finals!

It’s that time of year again, exam season! One of the most stressful times in a young law student’s life. After all, you spend an entire semester trying to learn the law and now your grade is dependent on being able to piece together your knowledge, put it on paper, and have it make sense in your exam answers. Final exam season can be a very daunting period for many law students. I would argue that the worst part is preparing for final exams. Since many professors base your grade solely on your final exam, it makes sense that you want to take studying seriously and feel fully prepared. However, studying itself can be an overwhelming task. One thing that has helped me through studying for finals is music. So here is a little list of some music genres that have helped me survive final exam season to assist you in your studying.

Why Music Can Help You Study

Your brain on music can do amazing things. Numerous studies and tests have been conducted regarding listening to music; many of which have found countless benefits. Different wavelengths and patterns of music can increase your focus, help you retain information, and works your brain to an optimal capacity.. (Check out more detailed information about your brain and music. There are several sites out there that are centered on music to help you study.) The specific results of the different types of music can vary per person, so make sure you are doing (and listening to) what is best for you! 

Some of My Personal Favorite Categories

I am an auditory learner, so sound is a really big thing to me. Personally, I find that studying in silence makes me more distracted, and I can focus better when I have something to listen to. Music has always been an important part of my life, and I have grown up listening to various genres. During finals, music provides me comfort, support, and gets me pumped up for my exams. Here are some categories of things I listen to during final exams:

BTS

I can’t lie to you, I am a BTS Stan like millions of others out there. Personally, I have loved K-Pop since I was in high school (I’m not going to date myself and tell you when though!) I have always enjoyed the upbeat and high-energy nature of the genre and BTS is hands-down my favorite K-Pop artist. You probably have heard of them (especially since their collab with Halsey on Boy with Luv) as they are worldwide superstars! BTS have helped me through the worst times of my life and their songs inspire me to accomplish my dreams. The day of the bar exam, I played their songs on repeat just to pump myself up.

ASMR

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. This response is characterized by a tingly feeling on your skin or running down your spine. Everyone’s response to certain “triggers” are different and some people are unable to experience the “ASMR” sensation. This is a newer generation of sounds and visuals that are used to help trigger these sensations. Personally, I have always loved quiet sounds and whispering as it is really calming for me. I tend to throw on ASMR when I am really trying to focus and get things done but also want to ease some of my stress.

Classical Music

Shocking to no one, I love listening to classical music to study. The intricacies of the rhythms and tempos make me wonder how the composers were able to create such beautiful music. Classical music helps me focus and puts me into a studying mood. Personally, my favorite composer is Frédéric Chopin. 

Brain-Wave Music

If I really want to focus and ASMR isn’t doing the trick, I switch over to some brain-wave music. This type of music uses certain beats and rhythms to trigger some sort of response in your brain. Sometimes the trigger can be focus, others help trigger relaxation, and there are even playlists out there to help you get energized! This has really helped me stay in the groove of studying and maintain my focus.

You’ve Got This, ROCK ON!

Studying for finals does not have to be a stressful time of your life. Instead, it can be a great time to discover new music or reconnect with some old songs that you used to love. For me, music continues to help my focus and has contributed to my success in my education and career. Whether you study with or without music, you can make it through studying and can survive the final exam season. Best of luck to all of you who are still studying!