Level Up Your Studying with Video Game Soundtracks

Graphic by Kelly Kringen

That time of the year again. Students slouch in every desk, bench, and chair in Bird and Carnegie libraries, their eyebrows furrow deciphering their notes and their keyboard clack as they furiously type those research papers. Midterms kick everyone’s asses, and everyone muddles through this rough patch of the semester the same way: sticking themselves in a corner, plugging headphones in, and cramming several hours’ worth of work in one day. It sucks.

We sympathize. We sincerely do. So we have a way to keep your head in the game.

Many students listen to music when they study or do any sort of work. Wonderful. Awesome. But one specific type of music actually boosts your productivity, focus, and motivation: video game soundtracks. So maybe instead of keeping your head in the game, keep it in the video game.

Scientific research backs this theory that music, especially video game soundtracks, stimulates the brain. Game designers write soundtracks to keep people focused and motivated while playing to complete the game’s tasks and goals. A steady rhythm in video game soundtracks, without sudden surprises or distractions in the track, create an ambient, continuous, and never-boring sound that proves to increase creativity when played at a moderate volume, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. These soundtracks actually foster achievement in the game, which means every essay you finish will be like “leveling up.”

Obviously, like all other types of music, everyone’s preference is unique, but here are some options that get you through that first study guide:

1. Mario Kart

   1. Hear us out. Your professor assigned a massive research paper due tomorrow, or you have an exam this week and have yet to open the textbook. Get your shit done listening to any of the Mario Kart soundtrack versions. When you press play, suddenly flashbacks to Rainbow Road fill your head, and soon enough, you will be hitting that submit button. If you have zero motivation to do anything, trust us on this one.

2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

   1. This game’s soundtrack puts you in a quiet headspace to take notes or study. If you’re not familiar with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a different song plays each hour, and each track is gentle with soft, echoing beats. This soothing music eases stress, making you less antsy after that fourth cup of Starbucks coffee.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

   1. Similar to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Ocarina of Time is a nice change of pace from upbeat and hasty music. The soundtrack plays an ambient sound that feels like walking through a digital, mystical land with its electronic keyboard and flute notes. The composer of this game, Koji Kondo, created these tracks not only to generate and match gameplay but to seize the sounds molded into nature’s surroundings. 

You can find hundreds, if not thousands, of other video game soundtracks on Apple Music, YouTube, and Spotify, in addition to many different curated playlists if you want some variety. But these are just the ones that all your favorite Jerks will be listening to from now on. Ready to ace that test? Press start!