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

It is once again midterm season: the most awful time of the quarter! Long nights spend grinding are only made better with one thing: music. Listening to music really helps to life my mood up especially when my homework assignments are really difficult and I need some extra motivation. For hard-core studying though, I can’t listen to my more up-beat playlists or else I will drop everything and start having my own dance party. For the extra-serious study nights, I whip out my chill playlist. The songs are great but not too distracting, which is perfect for studying! Here are a few of my favorites from my study playlist:

Going Nowhere-Darren Criss

This song is how I feel when I’m confused on my schoolwork (lol). But Darren Criss is an amazing artist and this is a great song! 

Good Days-SZA

Don’t come at me for being basic with this one. It’s just too good! SZA’s voice is so angelic and these lyrics hit so hard! I’ll admit, this song is a little distracting, but I’m keeping it here because if this song isn’t already on your playlist-go add it right now. 

Your Loving-Will Davila

This song reminds me of summer and I need that kind of motivation while I’m studying. It gives off very peaceful, joyful vibes and we all need that kind of energy while studying. Check it out!

Softly-Clairo

For some reason this song gives off filling up your planner vibes. I think this song is perfect for sitting at a coffee shop and getting some busy work done. Clairo’s voice is super soft, so it won’t be overbearing at all!

Best Part-Daniel Caesar (feat. H.E.R.)

This one’s another classic. It just makes me really happy, which is much needed while I’m studying. This is another one of those songs that could be on many different playlists-another one that’s just too good!
 

Kiss The Rain- Yiruma

I know some people get distracted by the singers’ voices, so I decided to include some without any words! This one is a pretty popular piano song, and it’s so beautiful! It’s very relaxing and makes the perfect backdrop for your long study sessions. 

Mia & Sebastian’s Theme-Justin Hurwitz

Yes, this is from the La La Land soundtrack. It’s another really beautiful piano piece. It might make you a little sad if you recall the ending of the movie, but we gotta have some variety on this playlist. There’s a lot of ups and downs throughout the studying process, and this playlist relfects that!

Raye- John Splithoff

I don’t think many people know this song, but it’s so so good! John Splithoff’s vocals are so soothing; I always have this song on repeat while I’m studying. Check it out if you haven’t heard it before!

Put A Little Love On Me- Niall Horan 

For some reason I really like to listen to sad music when I study. In the context of studying it doesn’t really make me sad. This is one of my favorite Niall songs ever! It just shows how his voice has matured so much. 

Rivers and Roads-The Head and the Heart

This is another simple song. The simply songs and the sad songs make the best study songs in my opnion though! This song in particular is quite repetitive, which can be annoying to some people but I find that to be really helpful while I’m studying!

Let It Out- Ed Sheeran

Oldie but a goodie! The song talks about trying to get yourself to “let it out”, and I always just take a breather while I listen to this song! Always make sure to take breaks while studying; it keeps you healthy and keeps you sane!

Grow As We Go- Ben Platt

Ben Plat is a star. This entire album slaps, but most of the songs are either too emotional or just too tempting to sing to for me to add them to my study playlist. This song is probably one of his most famous ones, and it’s so soothing! His voice is so so good, and I love the guitar in the background It’s a great motivational song!

Champagne Problems-Taylor Swift

I’ve never been a huge Taylor Swift fan, but I absolutely love this song. Another sad one, but the melody is simple with a quiet piano backing. Perfect to study to and not too distrating!

Remember Me-UMI

I love a good female alto voice. UMI has amazing range and hits those low notes so effortlessly! This one is definitely one of my favorites. Be sure to check it out!

Easy Baby-Denyah

This one is a bit more upbeat than the rest of them, but you deserve to have a mini break every now and then. I think the best word to describe this song is “bouncy.” It just makes me really happy; I love it so much!

I hope you’ll add some of these songs to your study playlist! If they’re that good, maybe even your playlist that you drive or vibe to! Best of luck on midterms everyone; we’re almost to the end of the school year!

Isis is a second year (pre) Human Biology and Society major at UCLA and she is thrilled to be a Feature Writer for the Her Campus team! In her spare time you can find her at the beach, singing, playing the piano/ukulele, reading or taking long, long naps.
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