Have you ever flipped through your songs and felt like you still haven’t found the perfect tune for your study session? Finding the right study music is especially important for international students, since it’ll help you go into “focus mode” and can even make you feel less homesick. Luckily we have a solution for you. Boost your focus, no matter where you’re studying—take our quiz to find your best playlist for studying abroad.
Tip: Before beginning, remember that if you can’t find your ideal answer, simply choose one that’s closest to your answer.
Ready? Let’s go.
1. What genres do you usually listen to?
a) Soft and easy tunes—nothing too crazy. Genres like R&B, jazz, and soul typically do it for me.
b) I love music I can dance or get moving to. Pop, house music, rap, and hip-hop are my jam.
c) I have a soft spot for classical music and generally prefer music without lyrics.
d) I like global music, like Afrobeats, Bollywood, K-pop, or Latin reggaeton.
e) I love the relaxed and laid-back vibes of country music.
f) I love discovering alternative, rock, or indie music, with some folk elements.
2. Who are your most-listened-to musical artists?
a) I love some older artists like Sade and Ella Fitzgerald. Some newer artists I’m a fan of include Jhene Aiko, Daniel Caesar, and Jorja Smith.
b) Popular artists like DMX, Snoop Dogg, and Christina Aguilera are my faves. Also, I love Bad Bunny, Rihanna, and Beyonce.
c) I’m a fan of the greats of musical history, like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky.
d) I’m a fan of hot new artists, like WizKid, Neha Kakkar, BTS, or Karol G.
e) Tim McGraw, Luke Combs, and Shania Twain have my heart. Also, I love Sam Hunt, Alana Springsteen, and Kane Brown.
f) I like artists like Alt-J, Foo Fighters, Metallica, Nirvana, Glass Animals, Lorde, and Florence + The Machine.
3. When do you usually listen to music (besides studying)?
a) I find myself listening to music when I want to relax, or while I’m multitasking.
b) I like to listen to music to get myself motivated. The beats and rhythm can energize like nothing else!
c) I like to listen to music at most times and places, and my music isn’t too intense, so hearing it often is fine.
d) I love listening to music both while I’m focusing and when I’m on the go.
e) Listening to music is one of my favourite things to do in my downtime.
f) I’m always listening to something. In fact, I often set aside extra time just to explore new songs and artists!
4. Which instrument would you most like to learn to play (or already play)?
a) I’d love to learn (or already know) how to sing or play saxophone or piano.
b) I’m fascinated by technology-based instruments, like DJ software and keyboard synthesizers.
c) Violins, piano, cello, or harp.
d) The conga, saxophone, sitar, or cuatro.
e) I love steel guitars, banjos, accordions, and fiddles.
f) Guitars, bass, and drums. Some keyboard synth would be nice to learn.
5. What are your thoughts on listening to music with lyrics while studying?
a) I don’t mind music with lyrics while studying, but I still prefer songs that aren’t too lyric-heavy.
b) I have no problem listening to music with lyrics.
c) I have a difficult time listening to music that’s lyric-heavy, as it distracts me.
d) I like it most when the lyrics are melodic, so I can either listen to the words or tune them out when I need to focus.
e) I prefer songs with simple and easy-to-understand lyrics.
f) I like my music to have lyrics with meaning or that make me feel something.
6. You and your friends want to go out. What’s your go-to outfit?
a) I love classic pieces, like T-shirts and jeans or trousers, mixed with some boho elements, such as long beaded necklaces, headscarves, and Mary Jane heels or sneakers.
b) I follow (or set) trends. This usually means some baggy pants, a fitted top, and some sneakers or heels. I also like to add accessories like chunky rings, hoop earrings, or chains.
c) I like a more formal style. This usually means a button-up shirt and trousers, or a dress, and heels or dress shoes.
d) I don’t mind standing out from the crowd and wearing clothes influenced by different cultures. I have pieces I love that were made by small-scale Etsy makers, local designers, or friends.
e) Blue jeans all the way for me! (And yes, I own more than one pair of cowboy boots.)
f) I love a relaxed and unique style. For me, this usually means flowy skirts and tops, colourful accessories, and some cool boots I thrifted.
7. What is your study style like?
a) Pretty balanced. I study a little every day and try not to leave too many things to the last minute.
b) Sometimes I get a little caught up with life, but when I study, I go into grind mode and really try to get a lot done in one sitting.
c) Pretty serious; I rarely miss a day. When I’m in studying mode, I don’t like to be disturbed or distracted.
d) I like to experiment with different studying methods and am pretty flexible, whether it’s alone or with a group of friends.
e) My study style is easygoing, at my own pace. I don’t like putting too much pressure on myself.
f) I don’t follow a specific schedule, and try to change things up every so often, like where and when I choose to study.
Are you ready to find your best playlist for studying abroad? Calculate your answers!
If you got…
Mostly As: You like your music cool, calm, and collected. You’d most likely gravitate toward genres like R&B, jazz and soul. This translates to a playlist with songs that aren’t lyric-forward but have catchy melodies and steady beats. Look for your best study playlist for studying abroad by adding “R&B Study” or “jazz study” in the title. Some examples:
- Chill Instrumental R&B Mix on Spotify
- LoFi Jazz on Apple Music
- Chill Study Jazzy R&B Mix on YouTube
Mostly Bs: You’re the life of the party, and love a tune you can bop to. However, high-energy tracks can be challenging to have as background music. We suggest a study playlist with house music instrumentals or lo-fi versions of popular hip-hop or rap songs. Here are some examples:
- This Is Instrumental Hip-Hop on Spotify
- Freestyle Hip Hop Beats on Apple Music
- Upbeat Study Music Deep House Mix on YouTube
Mostly Cs: You’re an old soul who loves classical music. You also may have hit the jackpot, as recent research shows that classical music is the ultimate focus music. Your best study playlist? “Classical music for studying.” Here are our top classical playlists:
- Classical Focus on Spotify
- Classical Music for Studying on Apple Music
- Classical Music for Reading on YouTube
Mostly Ds: You’re all about celebrating tunes from around the world! Whether you prefer Caribbean-style music, Afrobeats, K-pop, or Bollywood hits, there’s a study playlist for you! Look for playlists with titles featuring your favourite genre of music, plus “instrumentals,” or “lo-fi version.” Check out our top picks:
- Desi Lofi on Spotify
- K-Pop Chill on Apple Music
- Afro LoFi Beats on YouTube
Mostly Es: You are a country person at heart and like your music with a little southern twang. Luckily, lots of country songs aren’t too intense and already suit study sessions. For your best study playlist, look for soft country mixes, or acoustic versions of popular country songs. Our top country study playlist recommendations:
- Instrumental Country Blues Mix on Spotify
- Country Instrumental on Apple Music
- LoFi Country Music on YouTube
Mostly Fs: You like to see things from different perspectives. Your taste in music is alternative, indie, or rock, and you love exploring new artists. To find your match, look for playlists of your favourite genre of music that have “instrumental” or “lo-fi” in the title. Here are some examples of alternative rock study playlists:
- Instrumental Alternative Grunge Mix on Spotify
- Indie LoFi Music on Apple Music
- Indie Alternative LoFi on YouTube
We hope this quiz helped you find the best study playlist for studying abroad, suited to your specific tastes. We know how great it feels to find that perfect playlist to get you through exam season. Want to share the love? Pass this blog on to your friends to help them find their own best playlist for studying abroad!
