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The 5 Best Spotify Playlists to Keep You Studying

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter.

Let’s be real, midterm season is every week after Week 1 in the quarter system. As we approach mid-quarter and these essays and exams seem to be never-ending until finals, I’ve come prepared to share the best playlists that can keep you focused on that A. Here’s some playlists on Spotify (sorry, Apple Music users) that get you in the mood… to study. 

1. jazz/lofi/chill (25+ HOURS) by Siddhant Pratap 

If you’re planning on a long night of studying, this playlist has you covered. With a mix of upbeat and chilled out lo-fi to help provide pleasant background noise, and containing over 800 different songs, you won’t be bothered to interrupt your study session just to figure out what playlist to put on next. This playlist is an easy one-and-done for days where you need to concentrate on more important matters. 

2. dark classical by sophie

One of my favorite time periods of all is the Victorian era. When I’m in the mood for something hauntingly beautiful or just want to pretend like I’m the protagonist in a gothic novel, I put on this playlist featuring songs from Chopin, Bach, and Satie. You, too, can practice time-travelling as you transport your mind a couple hundred years back by listening to this classical playlist.

3. Classical Focus by Spotify 

For some intense studying, I would put on this playlist to keep awake and inspired. It features everyone’s classical favorites from Mozart to Debussy, and my personal favorite, Chopin. While this playlist wouldn’t last you over a day, it does last for almost fifteen hours, which is more than enough for a single study session. 

4. Original Jazz Movie Soundtracks by evindedzis

Inspired by what was playing in the background at Mishka’s, one of my favorite Davis cafés, I eagerly searched on Spotify for something similar. If you’re a fan of classic films and/or film noir, this playlist is for you. My favorite songs on the playlist are from the soundtrack composed by Alex North for A Streetcar Named Desire. If you’re taking a film class like me, maybe it’ll inspire you to watch some classic films as a reward after you’ve done some studying. 

5. animal crossing study by Alyssa Lee

Last but not least, a personal favorite playlist made by one of my own friends! When I want something casual and lighthearted, I automatically put on this playlist, which reminds me of my favorite game of all time. Featuring the distinct and cute Animal Crossing: New Leaf theme and even Kapp’n’s nostalgic love song, this playlist is sure to bring a smile to your face (even if you’re in pain from all the studying). 

Hayley is currently a fourth-year student at UC Davis, majoring in Human Development with a minor in Communication. You can often find her listening to True Crime podcasts, watching classic movies (yet, her true favorite is 'Ratatouille'), and obsessing over cats.
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