Student Life

What Your Study Playlist Says About You

Study playlists can set the mood for your focus and academic performance. Learn what your study playlist or preferred music says about you.

Student Contributor, Lillian Joyner

December 08, 2025

A Student Contributor shares study playlist ideas and what each playlist says about the listener.
There are countless playlists to study with. Find out in this article what your music means, specific study playlist ideas, and the “ideal” study music.

The Meaning Behind Your Daily Study Music

If music is your study motivation, you also may be interested to find out what it means about you.

“High-Strung” Study Playlist Ideas

“High-strung” songs have complex components to them. They include intricate lyrics and details. The genres of this may include pop, rap, and country.

Pop Study Playlist

There are thousands of genres in general, and many inside pop itself. Pop music, in general, is a very well-known genre, loved by many. While this may not be the best choice of music to listen to while focusing, you can choose to listen to quieter songs. One of the unique features of Spotify is that it can create specific playlists based on the genres, artists, and songs that you like. If you search “Studying Pop Mix” by Spotify, you will see a generated pop playlist curated just for you.
If you resonate with this music in an unexplainable way, you are perceptive. You always look for the hidden meaning behind big and small lessons. You are also considerate and attentive. You are loyal and bring energy to every-day life.

Rap Study Playlist

Rap is quick rhythmic speech over instruments. While it is not traditionally a “relaxing” genre of music, it may be your favorite and that is what truly matters. There is something for everyone.
Perfectly enough, Spotify has a “Chill Study Rap Mix”. Rap is commonly used to express dreams and aspirations of the artists. You may love this genre because of this. You are audacious and confident. You know what your goals are and will take risks to get there. You aren't afraid of what could go wrong. In fact, you are thrilled to see what happens along the way.

Country Study Playlist

Country music is used for the artists to express their feelings of love, faith, family, everyday life, and hardships. This music is a better option for studying as it has more songs that are considered traditional, and therefore softer. If you are looking for a country study playlist, Spotify has a “Relaxing Country Mix” that may be just what you want. I feel that, based on this genre, you live life freely. Spontaneity is what you live for and you love looking back on the good and the bad times. All the same, you are realistic in your expectations and work hard at everything. While these “high-strung” playlists may work well for you, consider giving the following a listen:

“Low-Strung” Study Playlist Ideas

Songs with fewer vocals are considered “low-strung”. They are slower and may have a faster rhythm. These include types of music like instrumental, classical, lo-fi, jazz, background noise, and colored noise.

Instrumental Study Playlist

Instrumental music specifically uses only instruments. This music is great for studying as there are no lyrics to distract you. Even without using words, it is powerful enough to tell a story and use sounds to create emotion. Check out Spotify’s playlist “Instrumental Mix”. It is a two and a half hour playlist, perfect for switching back and forth to different genres while perfecting your project. Similar to instrumental music personified, you are probably a gentle person. You know how to read a room and make everyone feel welcome. You also pay attention to the smallest details that make the things you do that much better.

Lo-Fi Study Playlist

Lo-fi music is one of the newest high rising music genres in today’s world. It is relaxed and known as having “imperfections” which makes it realistic, similar to background noise. It has a pleasant, soft sound making it a great tool to use when learning. Searching “chill lofi study beats” by Spotify will give you a playlist without doing the work to find songs yourself. This music is mellow and calm like you. When thinking of you, as a lo-fi listener, I picture a mindful person. You prioritize yourself and the things you love. You analyze situations and look at the bigger picture.

Jazz Study Playlist

Jazz music has a vast emotional span across its genre. Although it is a quieter genre, it involves instruments and most pieces have a thrilling rhythm. It fades into the background making it easy to enter a positive state of mind. I would recommend Spotify’s playlist “Jazz for Study”. It is an eight hour long playlist giving you plenty of time to do what you need to do and includes many artists. If you are someone who enjoys jazz music, I imagine you have a passionate character. You take initiative and get things done diligently.

Background Noise Study Playlist

If you dislike the idea of a song playing while studying, but hate the silence more, find a consistent background noise. This could be something like nature, a waterfall, a coffee shop, or an office. Choosing something quiet but consistent will keep you motivated and less distracted. • If you’re looking for a coffee shop, jazz ambience there is a YouTube video named “4k Cozy Coffee Shop with Smooth Piano Jazz Music for Relaxing, Studying and Working”. • If you would prefer something resembling nature, there is a YouTube video for that as well, named “Forest Sounds | Woodland Ambience, Bird Song” by The Guild of Ambience”. Based on the mood of background noise, I find that you are laid-back and go through the flow of life as it comes. You are authentic and stick to your values of what you know. With this, you often try to learn new things and create opportunities for yourself.

Colored Noise Study Playlist

Colored noise is used for enhancing your focus. Edweek.org explains in “White, Brown, Pink: What Different Colors of Noise Mean and How They Can Help Learning” that children, including those with ADHD and reading disabilities, perform better with colored noise playing. Well-known noises are white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. White noise is mimicking television static. Similarly, pink noise is a little softer and sounds like rainfall. Brown noise is said to be deeper, close to crashing waves. If you are looking to try this strategy some time, Spotify has made their own playlist named “Color Noise Mix” that will be made just for you. If you are the kind of person to listen to colored noise, you may be consistent like the music itself. You are flexible in transition periods and can maintain a grip on life while staying calm in the process.

Effects of Your Study Motivator

You may think that the music you listen to is just sound put to the side while you cram for your test, but it does much more.

Music that Helps You Focus

There is no true right and wrong with music. Music is an expressive art where you can listen to anything you desire. The type of student listening makes all the difference. Some people may work better with the chaotic-ness of vocals and details, while others work better without. Louder, slower paced music creates distractions and hinders concentration levels. The National Library of Medicine provides information in their article “The Influence of Background Music on Learning in the Light of Different Theoretical Perspectives and the Role of Working Memory Capacity,” stating that, in general, the “right study music” is soft and fast. This music has few details and can put you into a sort of hypnosis. Prioritizing repetitive sounds over complex ones will heighten your comprehension. Whatever you listen to, it should put you in a confident and relaxed place. You should be in a good headspace, whether working on a small or large-scale assignment.

Music that Impacts Your Academic Performance

Your specific playlist is not just background noise to block out other distractions. It has various effects on the brain. Music engages your memory, sensory-motor processing, and emotional and cognitive components. Simply, the wrong music can be stressful on your brain. Without you realizing, the tempo and intensity of the song can lessen your memory capacity, tense you up, frustrate you, and slow your processing. Your playlist and study habits can escalate your academic performance. Try something soft and fast just once; it may be the productivity hack you need.

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