In collaboration with Quadrangle NL, a local 2SLGBTQIA+ organization, the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is organizing a virtual “Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion Event” about transgender individuals and cancer.
The event is taking place on Thursday, May 16th (6.30 – 8.45 pm NDT) and interested individuals can register using the following link: https://www.med.mun.ca/oped/programs/4742
During this public event, participants will be able to learn about the lived experiences of transgender people with a history of cancer. Both international and local contexts will be explored.
Join us on May 16 for a free "Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion Event about Transgender Individuals with Cancer" ?️⚧️
The documentary to be screened is called “Trans Dudes with Lady Cancers”, which will be followed by a panel discussion with the documentary producers, local transgender community members affected by cancer, advocates, and health care providers. The event is public and free to attend and requires registration to receive the meeting link and information about the event.
On Monday, April 22nd, the Memorial University Students’ Union, held a town hall in the breezeway with government, university administrators, and opposition parties. In attendance was Minister of Education Krista Howell, PC MHA Craig Pardy, NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn, President of Memorial University Neil Bose and Board of Regents Chair Glen Barnes with MUNSU’s Executive Director of External Affairs John Harris Moderating.
The topic of discussion: The Rising Inaccessibility of NL’s Post-Secondary Education. This is the second townhall MUNSU has held on the issue following last year and occurred amidst the continual phase-out of the $68.4 Million operating grant, announced in 2022 which saw tuition more than double for new students at Memorial ending the long-standing ‘Tuition-Freeze’. It was an opportunity for both students and the wider university community to have their voices heard.
MUNSU Townhall 2024
In a post advertising the town hall, MUNSU says; “This new tuition scheme has made university unattainable for many in our province. After the Furey government cuts, MUN’s undergraduate program enrollment dropped by nearly 20%. Many of those who enrolled and were able to get a loan will be starting their careers on a mountain of debt. The cost of a degree for both domestic and out-of-province students is now $27,280, compared to $90,930 for international students. In a province with an average median income of $33,200, the opportunity for post-secondary education is now only given to those who can afford it.”
Reversing course on Tuition Hike?
The town hall kicked off with attendees being asked if they would commit to taking responsibility for the harm done by the tuition thaw and restoring funding to the tuition offset grant while also reducing tuition fees and getting rid of differential fees.
Minister Howell pointed out that she assumed her current position after the government’s decisions were made, highlighting that the $68.4 million reduction was slated over a four-year period that hasn’t been fully realized yet. Despite these financial constraints, she said the government’s commitment was to sustaining grant and loan programs. She also stressed that since these programs are based on financial need, they aim to ensure that those most in need can avail themselves of support so that education is accessible.
Opposition MHAs highlighted the need for greater accessibility. Pardy said it would be remarkable if students could transition from K-12 to a fully funded post-secondary education and that it should be the province’s aspiration, highlighting that education was the province’s most important industry. Dinn emphasized that access to education should be determined solely by academic merit, rather than financial means. He stated that the current system of needs-based grants and student loans represented a barrier to education.
The state of MUNL
There were also broader concerns raised about the state of the university and general funding to the institution. Josh Lepawsky, President of the Memorial University Faculty Union (MUNFA), highlighted in a question to the government how since 2014, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador had cut 46.8% of Memorial’s budget when adjusted for inflation. He asked whether the government would commit to re-funding MUNL back to 2014 levels and whether opposition leaders would do so as well should they form a government.
Pamphlet at MUNSU Townhall 2024
Minister Howell seemed to dodge the question stating that it would be easy for her to “write a blank cheque I wouldn’t have to cash” seeking instead to highlight initiatives like the removal of the Campus Renewal Fee and other indirect funding commitments to MUNL through the student loans system.
Pardy said that if the PCs were in government, they would provide a tax rebate to graduates of post-secondary education equal to the amount paid in tuition stating it would incentivize education and economic growth in the province. Dinn highlighted post-secondary institutions as the ‘centres of innovation’, a phrase touted in the provincial government’s ongoing Education Accord stating that investments in MUNL, CNA, and MI are critical. He also referenced a report that showed various economic spin-off effects of investments towards education, jobs, tax revenue and GDP and that if the NDP were in government they would restore the 46.8% cut of lost funding to MUNL.
President Bose stated that the MUNL administration is committed to finding ways to keep Memorial funded, and that discussions were also taking place over Memorial’s extensive list of deferred maintenance on the St. John’s campus currently totalling $450 million. On that issue, Barnes provided a story of how in business, he used to show individuals from outside the province around Memorial University as a source of pride, but that he now “doesn’t do that as much anymore.”
Questions from Student’s
Some students were also given the opportunity to pose questions directly to decision-makers. One student asked about the difference in course loads and the requirements behind being eligible for student loan funding as both MUNL and the federal government view 3 courses as being enrolled ‘full-time’ however, provincial loans and grants require 4 courses to be eligible.
Minister Howell responded stating that it was something the government was actively working on addressing and changing, with Pardy and Dinn agreeing that 3 courses should to be considered full-time and that it should be implemented as soon as possible.
Another student brought attention to the demanding nature of Social Work programs, where students undertake over 800 hours of unpaid placements, often with a limited say in their placement locations. Moreover, they noted a significant number of vacant positions within the Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development, totalling 105 out of 369 positions. They posed a question: Could a policy change be implemented to enable compensation for social work students?
Minister Howell stated that it was something the government was actively discussing. Dinn and Pardy stated that work done by all types of students should be compensated. Both Bose and Barnes responded to the issue by stating simply ‘I agree’.
Several students stood on the backdrop of the crowd, holding up posters advocating for a campus thrift store. President Bose, in response, encouraged them to submit an application. The students also addressed the crowd, urging them to consider how many students lack basic necessities like pillows, regular meals, or clothing. She highlighted the importance of a thrift store for those struggling financially and mentioned successful fundraising efforts through pop-up events in Residence for the campus food bank. Bose acknowledged their concerns and instructed them to submit a formal request, although the student mentioned having already sent several emails. Bose then pledged to follow up after the Town Hall.
Another student sought to highlight the historical tension between students and senior administration, raising concerns about a perceived crackdown on student protests. They posed questions to the panellists regarding their stances on protest rights, transparency, and access to information.
President Bose affirmed the fundamental right to protest. Minister Howell said that it was important to maintain peace during protests and to stand against violence and discrimination. Pardy emphasized the necessity of distinguishing between acceptable and unacceptable protest methods such as those with pejorative names. Dinn highlighted a student protest that catalyzed campus infrastructure improvements in the means of the university centre overpass and highlighted his ongoing advocacy for transparency in the House of Assembly.
MUNSU highlight from Town Hall
The student union released the following highlight clip from the Student Town Hall on their Instagram shortly after the event.
Fridays For Future (FFF) St. John’s, a branch of the global youth-led grassroots movement, gathered together on April 26th and marched to the confederation building to protest the government’s lack of response regarding the ongoing climate crisis.
While the strike didn’t attract its usual crowd, those there still exuded spirit and a unified want for change. Through chants such as, “Hey hey ho ho climate change has got to go,” “Climate change is no debate, Canada’s a petrol state,” and “Tell me what democracy looks like, this is what democracy looks like,” the group, while smaller, maintained and exhibited their usual tenacity.
Once they reached the confederation building, a few speakers were brought up to the steps, as well as a musical performance by Melody Rodgers.
Melody Rodgers sings at FFF protest
Alida Zedel, member of FFF St. John’s and incoming MUNSU exec, gave a more in-depth explanation of the protest’s 4 main asks. As a quick refresher, their goals are:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to declare a climate emergency
Substantial investments in province-wide public transport infrastructure
Ceasing of subsidies for Oil and Gas companies
Provincial legislation that bans advertising for Oil and Gas companies
When referencing their ask for the government to declare a climate emergency, Zedel says “We have been asking this of the government of Newfoundland and Labrador since the beginning of the Fridays For Future movement in 2019. They still have not declared one.”
For the second ask, Zedel explains that “Investment in transit is essential for reducing greenhouse gases and emissions- which make up a significant portion of emissions in this province as we are a car-centred society.”
Additionally, they ask that the subsidies continually given to Oil and Gas companies by the NL government “be put towards innovative solutions that actually help our planet,” referencing the recent provincial budget and the 19.3 million dollars in taxpayers money that was directly given to the oil and gas industry.
Even in smaller numbers, the movement continues to demonstrate its persistent determination to create change in our province. Follow their social media to find out more information about the movement, get involved, and stay up to date on future protests and events.
On Thursday, April 18th, a launch party was held at Memorial University to celebrate the release of the Killick-1 satellite from the International Space Station.
This was a special celebration: the Killick-1, a CubeSat, a small bread-loaf-sized satellite, was built by MUN students and their supervisors and supporters from C-CORE and the Faculty of Engineering.
The Killick-1 is the first CubeSat built from a Newfoundland-based project, designed to monitor and collect sea-ice information from space. The project has spanned many years, with the early stages of its inception beginning in 2018.
Initially, the project faced challenges regarding satellite integration and launch preparation, and multiple previous launch dates were unmet due to various design, software, and structural issues.
Muneeb Azher has worked on the Killick-1 project for two years, beginning as a work-term student at C-CORE.
“It has been a bit of a challenging task, to say the least,” says Azher. “We put a lot of work and thought into every aspect of the design, so we want to get it right.”
The launch
Image credit: Jack Harrhy
The nerves were palpable while watching the launch livestream, yet it was a success. At approximately 3:25 pm on April 18th, the Killick-1 launched from the ISS.
“Seeing the satellite eject was definitely a moment of relief for me,” says Azher.
The Killick-1’s successful launch from the ISS. View the full live stream here
Future plans
With the satellite officially in space, the first task will be to transmit signals and extract the intended scientific data on ice in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Killick-1’s function is both relevant and beneficial to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, specifically those working in Ocean-marine industries.
“Oceanography is a huge part of Newfoundland industries, and knowledge about sea ice is a crucial part,” says Azher. “The means of having an earth observation satellite to collect information that we would normally collect from other parties is not only more environmentally friendly because of its small size, which carries less of a carbon footprint than heavier systems, but it is specific to us, and it will serve people working in those industries who rely on that knowledge.”
Despite the various challenges and outcomes faced by the team, Azher claims that the Killick-1 project has, at its core, been a major learning experience.
“I hope this project can open the door for people interested and passionate about working in space technology to continue to help those in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I hope the things we learned will be for the betterment of future projects,” he says.
After a weather delay, Fridays For Future St. John’s is holding a global climate strike this Friday, April 26th. At 12 pm, protesters will meet at the MUN clock tower and march collectively to the Confederation Building.
Entitled Voices of Resilience, all are encouraged to attend to include their voices, amplify impact, and exert pressure on their elected officials. Chants will be chanted, songs will be sung, and protest signs are encouraged!
Fridays For Future St. John’s has highlighted 4 main goals for the Voices of Resilience protest:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to declare a climate emergency
Substantial investments in province-wide public transport infrastructure
Ceasing of subsidies for Oil and Gas companies
Provincial legislation that bans advertising for Oil and Gas companies
Fridays For Future
Fridays For Future St. John’s is a St. John’s-specific branch of the global, youth-led, collective grassroots Fridays For Future movement.
Fridays For Future St. John’s is a youth organization advocating for climate action from municipal, provincial, and federal government. Join us in protecting our planet for now and for future generations.
The Memorial University Students’ Union is holding a town hall meeting on Monday, May 22nd, at 7pm in the Breezeway. The purpose of the meeting is to spark a dialogue surrounding the future of post-secondary education in the province.
The student union invited Premier Andrew Furey, Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham, Third Party Leader Jim Dinn, University President Neil Bose, and Board of Regents Chair Glenn Barnes to participate as part of the panel and answer students’ questions.
Of the invited guests, those confirmed are: Minister of Education Krista Lynn Howell, PC MHA Craig Pardy, NDP Leader Jim Dinn, MUN President Neil Bose, and MUN Board of Regents Chair Glenn Barnes.
Following the town hall meeting will be an after-party open to students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members, from 9-11pm.
Last April, the student union held another town hall with attendees including MHA’s representing all three provincial political parties, as well as the President and Provost of MUN. We then saw in July a commitment from the provincial government to invest up to $10 million towards the removal of the campus renewal fee.
This is to say that we have seen changes and decisions made following added pressure placed by students on leaders in our community to prioritize post-secondary education in our province. With MUNSU emphasizing that, “What happens at MUN, our province’s only public university impacts our community’s overall economic and cultural health.”
If you have further questions or require a Zoom link to join the meeting virtually, reach out to campaigns@munsu.ca.
The government touted investments in healthcare, support for seniors, housing initiatives, and efforts to reduce poverty. However, students have been wondering what’s in it for post-secondary studies in the province?
With this, The MUSE had the opportunity to forward some questions to the Minister of Education, Krista Lynn Howell.
Can you explain the government’s decision to continue with the decrease in funding for the tuition offset grant, as the student body has stated that it has been left confused due to last year’s promised re-evaluation of the tuition freeze funding?
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to supporting affordable and accessible post-secondary education in the province. When Memorial University announced in 2021 that it was increasing tuition for new students, the Provincial Government responded by phasing out the tuition offset over the next five years, redirected those funds toward the tuition relief grant, and enhanced one of the most generous student aid programs in Canada.
Why was there a 35% reduction from $10 million to $6.5 million for funding given to offset the campus renewal fee?
Funding for Memorial University is evaluated each year, with over $298 allocated to Memorial University’s core operating grant through Budget 2024, an additional $70 million for the Faculty of Medicine, and the continuation of three satellite sites for the Faculty of Nursing.
The campus renewal fee offset has been continued into this year, with $6.5 million allocated through Budget 2024. This is the same amount that was provided to Memorial University in 2023-24.
When funding for the campus renewal fee offset was originally budgeted, Memorial advised they projected needing up to $10 million, and the Provincial Government budgeted up to that amount. At the end of the year, the actual amount that Memorial would collect for this fee was actually $6.5 million. As a result, we have budgeted $6.5 million to continue the offset of this fee in its entirety into the current fiscal year.
With this decrease in funding to offset the campus renewal fee, should students expect to pay the fee in 2024-25?
No student will be required to pay the campus renewal fee this year.
Are the non-repayable and forgivable grants available through student assistance programs open to out-of-province/international students?
To access student financial assistance, an individual must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a protected person, or a person registered as an Indian.
To access student financial assistance through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the student must meet the residency requirements.
Are there plans to help support post-secondary students outside of tuition relief programs, given students’ current struggles with the housing crisis and cost of living?
The student aid calculation includes consideration for tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation to and from classes, NL Hydro monthly power rates, and childcare costs if applicable. Students receiving financial aid are able to access a living allowance based on living arrangements (i.e. living away from home, living at home) using Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation monthly rental rates.
Currently, Canada has 6 active nuclear power plants in operation around the country: five in Ontario and one in New Brunswick. In 2018, nuclear power generated around 15% of Canada’s electricity. Whether or not nuclear is the way of the future, it’s here and is helping power our homes. Should we continue down this path of nuclear energy, and is it ethical?
The Canadian nuclear problem
Dry storage containers via NWMO
Canada has the same problem concerning nuclear power as the rest of the world: nuclear waste. Nuclear waste presents a unique problem as it is radioactive, and will continue to be so for tens of thousands of years. As of early 2024, nuclear waste is commonly stored in what is called “dry storage containers”, reinforced concrete, and steel containers holding used uranium fuel cells from reactors. These containers are stored above ground and have to be maintained diligently every few decades or so to maintain safety. They are a temporary fix only, but there is no nuclear waste in the world currently housed in long-term storage.
Finland is the closest country to having an operational long-term storage site, and locations for others have been finalized in Sweden, Switzerland, and France; The latter countries still project decades before finalized sites. Finland projects the site to start housing nuclear waste starting this year in 2024.
Canada’s used Nuclear fuel via NWMO
Digging a tunnel 450m to bedrock is our current best plan for storing the radioactive waste, but more sites will need to be built to house any percentage of the world’s current waste. Canada alone has already produced ~3.2 million used nuclear fuel bundles, and an additional 90,000 more each year. The impact long-term storage may have on future generations is currently unknown. Radioactive leak damage is projected to be minimal if we can leave the sites alone for ten thousand years at least. We hope to dissuade future excavation with a warning sign, whose eerie message is listed at the bottom of this article.
Decommissioning options
In 2012, Canada started decommissioning Gentilly-2, a nuclear reactor that was operating in Quebec for economic purposes. Nuclear reactors are given an initial operating license of about 40 years. After that, licenses can be extended if all safety regulations are maintained, which usually requires extensive, constant repairs. Decommissioning can require about 50 years before the reactor is completely decommissioned. At that time, the facilities are used to house nuclear waste in temporary storage containers.
Also, according to current global operating projections, uranium deposits can only fuel global nuclear power for another couple of centuries at the most. However, research is underway in Chinese CANDU reactors to search for ways that they can recycle used fuel from other nuclear power plants, reducing the volume of nuclear waste. This ambitious project could extend nuclear power for a couple of years.
All of this means most countries are treating nuclear power as a temporary energy source, so why do we use it? Nuclear power emits very low concentrations of CO2 in our atmosphere. The numbers of CO2 emitted are nearly the same as hydropower. With the amount of energy nuclear power plants produce, nuclear is seen as a very good option to transition the world to a net zero future. Nuclear power can be used effectively for the next century or two as better infrastructure is put in place to utilize more renewable energy sources.
As well, we cannot discuss decommissioning without mentioning the benefit of reducing nuclear weapons. Some countries with a supply of nuclear weapons have pledged to decommission the weapons for use in nuclear reactors. This, along with uranium deposits and collection adds to the economies that can trade for profit.
Uranium Reserve Portland Creek, Newfoundland
Portland Creek Uranium Project via Infiniti Resources
Infini Resources is an Australian energy company focused on exploring uranium and lithium options and deposits in Canada and Western Australia. Multiple anomalies were discovered in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1970’s by a Newfoundland government stream sediment sampling program. Mostly untouched since then, the land is now set to be explored and researched extensively for the prospect of opening a new uranium extraction site on the Island. Because uranium is set to deplete in a century, and more nuclear reactors are set to begin operation around the world, the price of uranium is set to rise, leading to a possibility for high profits.
The company’s Half-Yearly Report, released on March 12th, 2024 confirmed a 100% interest in the exploration and analysis of Portland Creek’s potential. They intend to use funds raised from a “Public Offer” to start the project and define targets for drill testing. Read more about the Portland Creek Project.
Fission vs Fusion
The processes that have been mentioned throughout this article contain information about the current state of Nuclear Fission reactors. There are currently no nuclear fusion reactors operational in the world, but multiple projects are underway. Another example of the benefits of nuclear research includes advancements in nuclear fusion technologies. If current projects can develop quickly, we could be transitioning from fission to fusion before uranium supplies deplete.
ITER TOKAMAK AND PLANT SYSTEMS via ITER.org
Nuclear fusion does not create the long-term radioactive waste that is produced by fission. Instead, the type of reaction that powers the sun is created on Earth using huge conductors of magnetic fields. The Russian Tokamak-15 is likely to be the first practical fusion reactor. According to Dr. Arthur Turrell, “(Nuclear Fusion)… is the power source of the stars, but it is also the only power source that can take us to the stars too.”
Warning Signs
Lastly, I want to display our warning to future generations. Because there are no long-term nuclear waste storage sites currently in use, this warning is only a suggestion for what to display. Sandia National Laboratories released a report in 1993 with the goal of communicating a series of messages non-linguistically to any future visitors of a nuclear waste site. It was recommended by Sandia National Laboratories to display a multilayered warning for future generations to understand the danger and uselessness of the radioactive materials in storage. In a time when societies have trouble coming to a consensus over issues big and small, the warning seems to condemn our human nature to the core. The need for the warning sign assumes our curiosity in the future will be unyielding to a detrimental level.
The following message is an example of what those warnings should evoke:
This place is a message… and part of a system of messages… pay attention to it!
Sending this message was important to us. We considered ourselves to be a powerful culture.
This place is not a place of honour… no highly esteemed deed is commemorated here… nothing valued is here.
What is here was dangerous and repulsive to us. This message is a warning about danger.
The danger is in a particular location… it increases towards a center… the center of danger is here… of a particular size and shape, and below us.
The danger is still present, in your time, as it was in ours.
The danger is to the body, and it can kill.
The form of the danger is an emanation of energy.
The danger is unleashed only if you substantially disturb this place physically. This place is best shunned and left uninhabited.
The end of the semester is coming up. Summer officially starts on June 20 and there’s a lot to look forward to…
The end of the semester approaching can mean a variety of things. Firstly, it means that all your assignments and exams are piling up. Towards the end of the semester, students often find themselves extra stressed out over deadlines and studying. Finals season is upon us, whether we like it or not.
Here are some tips on how to effectively wrap up the semester:
Create to-do lists
Creating to-do lists can be useful. Simply writing down a list of tasks you need to accomplish in a day, whether that’s studying for an exam or concluding an assignment, a to-do list can motivate you to achieve these goals. Checking off that task in your planner is an effective way to accomplish tasks.
Manage your time well
Spending all your time studying for one subject isn’t studying effectively. Make sure you allocate enough time to all your subjects- some may require more time than others. But make sure that you don’t spend all your time studying for one course. If you find yourself getting easily distracted when studying, try out the Pomodoro Technique. This method includes setting 25 minutes to study and then taking a 5-minute break. Then after four pomodoros, take a 30-minute break.
Organize a study schedule
This is similar to creating a to-do list. It can be helpful to highlight which parts of the day you would like to accomplish what. Are mornings more productive for you? And if so, which courses would you like to study then? Thinking about these sorts of questions can allow you to create an effective study schedule that you can stick to. Make sure that your schedule has room for flexibility- some tasks may take longer than others, so it’s important to not be so rigid with your schedule.
Ask for help
If you’re stuck trying to figure out how to solve problems, ask your professor for help. This may be the quicker route than trying to solve the issue yourself. You could also ask your classmates for help on assignments and even study together. Studying with a classmate who’s taking the same course as you can allow you to help each other out while learning from each other.
Hide your phone
Procrastinating is inevitable. Constantly checking your phone, whether you’re scrolling on Instagram or texting your friend, can interrupt your productivity. Everything will be fine if you put your phone down for thirty minutes, try to avoid unlocking it as a habit. I know that it’s a task you’ve familiarized yourself with, but every time you’re about to reach for your phone, ask yourself- what am I hoping to gain from this? When you’re on a study break, you can check your phone, but if you’re supposed to be studying, put your phone away! It can be practical to hide your phone- for example, you could put it in your kitchen drawer, or under the sofa, just anywhere that’s not in view.
Take a break!
I can’t stress this enough. The end of the semester may come with a burnout. I get it. It’s the end of the semester and you don’t want to study anymore or finish off that assignment. To avoid burnout, take breaks. Whether this is going on a quick walk (weather permitting, of course), having coffee with a friend, or catching up on your chores, a break is necessary. If you spend too much time sitting and looking at your computer screen, you’ll never relieve any stress. Prioritizing self-care activities can allow you to reduce your stress levels.
Think about summer
Sometimes in order for us to accomplish tasks, we need to think about the end goal. If you’re overstressed, think about summer. Think about all the fun you’re going to have. Summer is always a time to look forward to. The sun will be out, you’ll spend time with your friends and maybe even go on holiday. Summer has endless possibilities!
Overall, to navigate the end of the semester, make sure you manage your time well- you can’t spend all your time studying. Maintaining a healthy balance between rest and productivity can help reduce stress.
Summer is approaching. Have a positive and proactive mindset to the end of the semester.
General campus discourse leads me to believe that most students found this semester to be super quick, a feeling I can attest to. Regardless, here we are, with final exams just around the corner and students making haste to prepare for those end-of-term evaluations.
A good study session requires music. Not an opinion, just a fact.
It may be difficult to find the perfect song or playlist when you are trying to simultaneously grind and jam out. And if your study session requires focused reading, it can be hard to do both at once.
Not to worry! The following selection of ambient tunes is exactly what you need for focused study and good vibes. Before we begin, let’s gain some context.
Ambient music can be traced back to one artist, Brian Eno. Its description is literally in the name, consisting of ambient and atmospheric sounds, ranging from soothing and relaxing, to dark and disturbing. John Dale explains,
Ambient music “caresses the sensorium and moves toward pleasure, offering calm and refuge from the 21st century storm.”
This is exactly why I listen to ambient music, as a relief from the overstimulating nature of everyday life, and as a tool for productivity and relaxation (at the same time!)
Curated selections for the reader
Fans of Mac Demarco will recognize this ambient tune from Demarco’s song “Chamber of Reflection.” Shigeo Sekito’s “ザ・ワードⅡ” was originally released in 1975, from which Demarco sampled his popular hit, and it is majorly groovy.
Likewise, Buddy Ross’s “Running Around” will be instantly recognizable for Frank Ocean fans, which Ocean sampled in “Be Yourself.” If you were a Frank Ocean fan during the Blonde era, this ambient tune will really resonate with you.
Takeshi Abo’s “Lease” will leave you feeling like you are in the waiting room of a DS/Wii game, in the absolute best and most nostalgic way possible for 2000s kids.
Vegyn’s “Big Fun Never Ending Nightmare” presents an interesting mix of upbeat chords with a tinge of melancholia.
If you want to listen to your favorite artist while remaining study-focused, check out if they have any pre-existing instrumental/ambient tunes in their collection, which they most likely do.
You cannot compile an ambient music list without including a tune from the uniquely eccentric and oftentimes desolate Aphex Twin catalog. Sometimes you just want to feel a little sad.
An ominous ambient tune from Radiohead, from one of their best albums might I add, that will bring instant relaxation and focus.
Boards of Canada has a major discography filled with the best ambient tunes to add a distinctly cinematic quality to your study session.
When you have exhausted all of your options, check out the soundtrack to your favorite movie(s). This is a great way to get into the zone while also reminiscing on a good film.
The following entry is another atmospheric soundtrack example, perfect to flick on for ambient background noise and focus.
Finally, you cannot go wrong with classical music. Erik Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1” is one of my all-time favorites, in part due to its whimsical quality that, once again, is just a little bit sad. There seems to be a theme here.
Another nostalgic example for anyone possessing grade-school recorder/piano experience. Or, if you remember the “Clair de lune” scene from Twilight… this one will really take you back.
This final classical selection will get you so zoned in you might accidentally pull an all-nighter.
Proven benefits
It is common to feel inundated with the never-ending modern-day cycle of media consumption. At first, I was worried that my dependence on music while studying was just another added layer to this cycle.
Fear not, listening to music while studying has actually been proven beneficial for academic performance, cognitive and intellectual development, and for improving general mental wellbeing.
As well, it can be a lot of fun to just zone out a little bit, really getting into the grind with some good background tunes.
