Studying is not easy. Whether it is a lack of energy, lack of time, or overall lack of motivation, studying is hard. However, studying is a vital part of being a student and therefore needs to be done. The question then is how can we make it easier. While the answer is different for everyone, I hope the information in this article is helpful for at least one other person this finals season.
The success of my study sessions largely depends on the music I listen to. Without my playlist titled “focus” I cannot even begin to memorize my flashcards. As you may have guessed by the title of this article the playlist is filled with tracks from videogames. The choice to use video game music for studying was originally based on an article claiming that scientific research had demonstrated videogame music was designed specifically to foster task completion and focus. Although the specific article eludes me now, and perhaps I dreamed its existence, I believe that the claims it presented make sense even absent scientific evidence.
Absent any formal scientific study I can still advocate first-hand for the benefits I believe video game music has given my studying. When I put my earbuds in and turn on my playlist, I feel an immediate shift in my mindset. While some of this is certainly the result of simply orienting myself on studying, the change in mindset is much less drastic and occasionally even totally absent if I do not hear my carefully curated music. It's as if the playlist primes my brain for the challenges ahead, creating a focused and productive atmosphere. These results are hardly shocking when we consider the context for which the music in my playlist was written.
Video games are a series of tasks that we complete in order to progress and eventually win. While some games, such as fighting games, feel less aligned with this structured formula than others like tycoons, the fundamental idea behind every game is performing some sort of task to achieve victory. Therefore, it should not be surprising if the music that was written to accompany this gameplay is designed to facilitate task completion and focus. I doubt as many people eagerly pay for games like “Stardew Valley” which is in large parts a game about roleplaying a farmer if there was not an engaging soundtrack to complement its repetitive tasks.
In conclusion, while the perfect study soundtrack is subjective, the design principles behind video game music make it a compelling option for enhancing focus. If you're intrigued, I invite you to try out a few of my personal favorites that consistently help me concentrate:
- Dire Dire Docks from Super Mario 64
- Fallen Down from Undertale
- Gusty Gardens from Super Mario Galaxy
- 7 PM from Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Winter (The Wind Can Be Still) from Stardew Valley
- Aria di Mezzo Carattere from Final Fantasy VI
Hopefully, these tracks will help you level up your studies the way they did mine.