As fall approaches and cool weather settles in, many students at Aliso Niguel High School listen to music to help them focus. The right playlist can be the difference between distraction and productivity; this fall, students are using playlists to match their moods and with their workloads.
Fall playlists often reflect the season’s cozy atmosphere. Acoustic songs and mellow instruments are more popular for studying as the slower rhythms usually help students concentrate.
For students who prefer to study without lyrics, lo-fi and instrumental music remains a go-to option. Lo-fi beats provide rhythmic consistency that helps maintain focus without becoming distracting.
The “Lo-Fi Girl” station on YouTube and similar Spotify mixes have become popular for students who want background noise that does not make them lose focus.
Maria Mishriky (12) says, “My music choice depends on what homework I am doing. If it is for math, I can concentrate on any type of music, but if it is English, I like to listen to jazz music.”
Some students would argue that listening to music distracts them, and thus it is best not to while studying.
“I think that when studying, not listening to music is usually the best option, but I think the best study music is calm jazz music. However, I do prefer listening to music with lyrics,” Mishriky says.
“An artist I’ve been listening to recently as I study is Amr Diab, a famous Egyptian singer who makes many good pop songs and I also like to listen to Sombr. I make my own playlists, and sometimes I just click on any song that I am familiar with on YouTube.”
Though for many students, studying with calmer music helps them focus, for other students, fast-paced music is the best way to allow them to focus and study.
Laurel Thurman (12) says, “I usually listen to upbeat, fast-paced music, since it helps me stay alert and focus when I study. I personally don’t have a fall playlist, but I will listen to fall songs that are trending, and I listen to them pretty often.”
She continues, “I’ll listen to The Weeknd, Playboi Carti and Rihanna sometimes while I’m studying, since I just like their music in general, but instrumentals are usually easier to study with since I don’t have lyrics in the background distracting me.”
While some students prefer upbeat songs or mellow instrumentals, others enjoy exploring a wide range of genres.
Mikhael Soto (12) said, “I usually listen to any and every genre, however; I always have to have some rock incorporated. I typically use a pre-made playlist because you get so many new songs from the pre-made playlists. Currently, my go-to fall playlist is a “Peanuts” themed one I found on YouTube—mainly jazz… My music taste does change a bit with the seasons; some songs are just meant for fall time.”
“Certain genres make studying easier, and some people say classical is better. I think overall it’s a genre of instrumental music that people think makes studying easier, but everyone’s brains are different and some do good with whatever music,” says Soto.
Soto expands on this idea, “If I’m reading something, I like instrumental music. If I’m working on solving problems, songs with lyrics are my go-to.”
Ultimately, the best study playlist does depend on a student’s personal taste. What matters most in a playlist for studying is to find music that enhances focus and motivates students. The perfect playlist can make studying feel just a bit easier.
