There are two types of students: the ones who study in complete silence, and the ones who can’t concentrate without music, even if it completely distracts them. I’m part of that group. 

Every study session begins with the same plan: I sit down, open my laptop, write some notes, and finally feel like an academic weapon, promising myself that this time I will stay focused. I search for playlists with names like “study mode” or “relax mode,” hoping it will help me focus on my studies. But as soon as I hit play on a playlist, that plan falls apart. Within minutes, I end up listening to BTS, Justin Bieber, or Bad Bunny like I’m at my own private concert. 

At first, the music feels helpful. The rhythm keeps me awake, the lyrics lift my mood, and for a moment, I convince myself that I am being productive. Everything is going fine until THAT song comes on – the one that you can’t skip, the one that forces you to sing, move your head, and completely forget that you have an essay due tomorrow. At that moment, I stop being a normal person and become the main character in a music video filmed in my bedroom, complete with choreography if it’s K-pop. 

Then comes the emotional phase. A slow Spanish ballad starts playing, and suddenly, I’m no longer studying. I’m imagining scenarios, overthinking my whole life, and feeling a jumble of emotions, I definitely don’t need at 11:00 p.m. the night before an exam. I am doing anything except my homework. 

I try to convince myself that music helps me concentrate, but the truth is that most of the time it does the exact opposite. Still, I keep going back to my playlists because studying in silence feels strange and unmotivated. Music keeps me company when I need it, lifts my mood, and makes my long study sessions at school more bearable. 

By the end of the day, my progress is questionable. My assignments are only halfway done, my playlists replayed multiple times, and I am just there, wondering how hours passed so quickly. Still, there is something comforting about those study sessions. It always makes me feel weird and calm about it.  

At the end, studying with music for me may not be the most efficient thing to do if I really want to concentrate on something, but it’s what keeps me going. Because if I am going to struggle through deadlines, exams and long assignments, I might as well do it with a good soundtrack.