Midterms Study Playlist

Midterms are just a pain. I feel they’re even harder than finals. Not only do you have to prepare for tests, papers and projects, but you have to keep up with menial daily homework too! So here’s a calming study playlist for all of you facing this week of hell-Midterms Week.

1.) Strawberry Swing-Coldplay

Love this song! It’s a great way to start out studying. The chords and harmonies have a muted quality to them and the continuous beating rhythms keep you moving forward from assignment to assignment.

2.) Industry- Jon McLaughlin

Starts out soft and slow to ease you into working, but eventually picks up and keeps you moving forward, much like Coldplay.

3.) Go Away-Eisley

Frustrated with your chem? Put this song on and punch your pillow a couple of times, then hit the books again. No, literally hit the books! It’ll make you feel better as long as you don’t do it too hard. Some of those textbooks are pretty thick!

4.) Details in the Fabric- Jason Mraz featuring James Morrison

First thing you hear is “Calm down/ deep breathes/ get yourself dressed instead/ of running around and pulling on your threads and/ breaking yourself up”. The hypnotic duet between these two will calm you down as the lyrics reassure you that “everything will be fine”. Plus if you listen REALLY closely to the voice message at the end, you might get a laugh.

5.) Space to Write - Priscilla Ahn

Like most of the songs on this playlist, the harmonies and vocals are every soothing, but there is a constant current that keeps pushing you forward. Or it’s a very nice song to fall asleep to if you need a quick 20 minute rejuvenating nap.

6.) Glass of Water- Coldplay The quicker tempo of this song reenergizes you and keeps you motivated. Chris Martin sings that we shouldn’t ask “neither how full or empty/ is your glass” because it doesn’t matter. Why doesn’t it matter? Because you’ve got midterms to study for, silly! Get back to work!

7.) Don’t Know Why- Nora Jones

Nice, chill background music. Good for frantically flipping through novel after novel, looking for quotes for your 8-page, 12 pt., double-spaced paper due by 3:00 pm tomorrow.

8.) The Call- Regina Spektor

Not only does it meet the requirements of being soft and relaxed with a forward moving undercurrent, but it’s one of my favorite songs. And it’s nice to hear a favorite song in a random playlist. It’s like home-familiar and comfy. A welcome change from the stress of midterms.

9.) Just Give it Time- Jon McLaughlin

Hit another rough spot in your history paper? “Just give it time/ it’s gonna get better.” Take a few breathes and out this song on while you go back and work it out. It’ll get you back on track, while reassuring you at the same time. Just like Mom used to do.

10.) Georgia On My Mind- Michael Bublé

This cover of the classic Ray Charles song is good for singing along to as you’re working on that tough math problem on the study guide your prof gave you.

11.) Love Story Meets Love Story- Jon Schmidt

And what study playlist would be complete with out a little Jim Brick... Jon Schmidt! Okay, so he may not be Jim Brickman, but this guy is equally talented. This arrangement of Taylor Swift’s hit can be enjoyed by all, even if you’re not a huge fan of the country crooner. This piece is based off of the hugely popular mash up called Love Story Meets Viva La Vida of Swift’s song and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. Schmidt says that as he was arranging Love story for his 7-year-old daughter, it seemed to flow straight into Viva La Vida. Schmidt’s website says that “Thinking clearances were properly handled with Love Story meets Viva la Vida, we were later dismayed to discover when you create a mash-up you need personal permissions from songwriters before it can be sold. Let's just say, getting in touch with rock stars has been harder than it sounds.” Which really sucks for all of us, because the song is amazing! Some rearranging took place and voila! Love Story Meets Love Story! An equally amazing song. Make sure you all write to your Coldplay representatives and encourage them to let Jon Schmidt sell this song!


Much luck to everybody on whatever tests, papers, or whatever you have coming up this week, or next! Go kick some Midterm butt!