The Best Of Studying Sounds

By Connor Ferry on February 7, 2016

The first tests of the semester are upon us, and if they are this week or the next, it’s time for us to hit the books. Most professors agree that the worst test grades are on the first tests, because the student just doesn’t know how the professor gives tests and what aside from simple recall of facts will the student be asked to do, like interpretation and evaluation?

So, there is going to be a lot of studying that we need to do. And sometimes it is impossible to find anywhere quiet to study, so let’s find Study Sounds! Things that will help you as a student concentrate on your work.

From Flickr Creative Commons

Tycho‘s Awake – Pitchfork described Tycho’s awake with, “There’s more air here, lending a greater expanse of room to move around in than before, like traveling from a rundown seaside resort to vast scoops of desert plane.”

Tycho’s awake seems to be the very definition of chill; it can help you zone in and zone out, it doesn’t draw attention to itself, it just lends itself to the environment, helping to block out any unwanted noise.

Hogwart’s Ambient Noise – That’s right, you can listen to any room at Hogwart’s with this website. You pick your room in the Hogwart’s school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, plug in your headphones and get to work. It adds whatever kind of room experience you want, and like Tycho, it enhances the space around you, it doesn’t try to make you focus on it, which allows you to spend all of your time studying.

The best part about this particular website is that it allows you to do all of your own mixing. Each room has sound elements that you are in complete control over, so if you don’t want the sound of a pen writing or the fireplace, you can just turn it off.

A Soft Murmur — If you liked the ability to pick your own sounds in the Hogwarts rooms, then this website is for you. This gives the listener complete control over the sounds, allowing you to pick whatever you want. Some options are waves, wind, rain, and coffee shop. This site also allows you to turn up or turn down whatever parts of the ambience you like best, allowing for almost endless textures and combinations.

The Rocky Soundtrack – I must confess, I own the Rocky Soundtrack on vinyl. I know, it’s not ambient, but give it a chance. Just focus on your studying and get hyped with this album, because there is no way you can listen to this soundtrack without getting ready for whatever lies ahead of you.

No, this soundtrack does not have Eye of the Tiger on it, that would be the soundtrack for Rocky 3, which is also a great option if you are looking to get ready for a big exam. The string arrangement composed by Bill Conti set the tone for the character and the movie perfectly, the soundtrack is so synonymous with accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks. This album will get you emotionally ready for your next exam.

John Cage 4’33” – If you are unfamiliar with this composition and have already clicked on the link, you’ll notice something strange about it. No, the audio didn’t get taken down over copyright issues, this piece is comprised of four minutes and 33 seconds of silence.

Some people say the lack of notes doesn’t make this music and some of you might be wondering why I even added it, seeing as this list is about what to listen to when studying. The piece’s silence allows for the listener to hear the surroundings, it makes the listener focus on what would not traditionally be focused on.

So, go find a nice study room and just listen to the writing and paper flipping, the air conditioner or the kids coughing. That type of atmosphere can be conducive to your studying, because in the right situation, it doesn’t call away from what you are doing.

Remember, studying is important. These first tests are going to help create the narrative you will have of these classes, if they are easy or hard, or if the professor asks questions not on the study guide, or any number of things. It’s important to study for these tests because you are not sure what you will face when you get in the testing room. Good luck and you can always listen to this when you get your test grades back.

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