The 10 best tracks to help you concentrate on your studies and work

Who said you can't mix hip-hop and grime with a bit of Mozart?

(Getty Images)

Christmas is long over now, meaning it’s time to get to work. You can procrastinate all you want, but January exams are just around the corner. So, it’s time to start preparing yourself for them. Revision can be tedious and stressful, so why not add a bit of music to make is less of a menial task?

While there has been research and debate on whether students should study with music or not, at the end of the day, it comes down to your own personal preference. If you feel it helps in blocking out your surroundings and lets you concentrate more, then why not? Tip: be careful in what you pick because the point is not for it to distract you. So, here are ten suggested tracks to help you while studying:

1) Electric Relaxation – A Tribe Called Quest

This track is arguably one of the best hip-hop records of all time. So, what makes it revision-worthy? The production itself is rich, the beat is not too heavy - in terms of distracting you - and, along with the smooth bars from both Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, it creates a sweet melody. Overall, a chilled track that will definitely help you keep focused.

2) Youth - Daughter

The vocals, the guitar, and the drums in this track alone are enough to speak for themselves. Need more be said?

3) You Don’t Even Know - The Internet ft. Tay Walker

While both the vocals and the instrumentation on this track would sound amazing separate, the combination is more than complimentary towards one another. Blended perfectly together, they help in producing a smooth soulful sound.

4) All Blues – Miles Davis

Speaking of instrumentation, no-one composes an instrumental piece quite like Miles Davis. A trumpet + two saxes, tenor and alto + a piano + accompany of a continuous soft drumbeat = heaven. These powerful instruments will help in directing your focus towards your work.

5) The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin

Frankly, the melody produced from the guitar is amazing. Jimmy Page killed it with this one. Take note future guitarists.

If you find lyrics too distracting and just want beats:

6) Open Eye Signal – Jon Hopkins

Perfect for concentration levels, so if you want to drown out the world and just be engrossed in your work, then this is the track you need.

7) Intro – The xx

Okay, so this track has been everywhere recently. Whether it has been featured in sport highlights, the 2010 UK General Election or sampled by Rihanna, it is no doubt a good track. The synths, beats, bass, guitar and the mixing create a soothing sound you’re bound to get lost in.

8) Krazy (Instrumental) - Riddle

The saxophone playing over the old hip-hop beat creates such a perfect sound. It sounds so simple but yet complicated; yet not too distracting to keep you from focusing on your work.

9) Voices – Rude Kid

Who said you couldn’t revise to grime? The beat on this track is mad. For the people who constantly bop their head whilst working, this track is for you.

Last, but definitely not least:

10) Symphony No. 40 in G minor, First Movement - Mozart

Studies have pointed out that listening to music from the classical era helps in boosting performance. So why not take it way back to three centuries ago and let Wolfgang stimulate your mind?

Twitter: @JenniferToro_