Grad School & Dark Academia

Welcome to my grad school Halloween party! The theme for tonight is Dark Academia. It’s not the kind of party you might be expecting. Sure, everyone is encouraged to come in costume, and we will have snacks and music, but the one thing that sets it apart from many other parties—it is a STUDY party.

As a graduate student and working mother, study time is extremely precious and must be intentional. And I know many other students in my program who are in similar situations. That is why I want to throw a study party.

My study party will be both fun and productive—making it a very unique combination. Since there are many students who are parents, kids (if they are not out trick or treating) are welcome to come, where there will be an energetic babysitter and LOTS of Halloween fun, games, and candy waiting for them in a separate area.

But what the kids won’t know is that the student study party zone is the place to be (well, at least according to busy adults with little time and lots of obligations)!

The Playlist:

For me, times of focus are limited, and therefore, EXTREMELY valuable. Also, having ADHD means that one of my biggest struggles in life is focusing and staying on-task. So I have had to enact strategies to maintain productivity.

One of the best strategies that has helped me focus (besides drinking way too much coffee) has been to create just the right atmosphere. If I am trying to study in a place too chaotic, I get easily distracted. If the place is too quiet, my brain seizes the opportunity to self-sabotage with internal distractions that have nothing to do with getting done what I am supposed to be doing.

The strategy that has singlehandedly helped me to thrive in grad school is putting in a pair of headphones and clicking on a Youtube playlist of instrumental, ambient-type music.

As to what type of music, the options are endless. As a lover of Fantasy, I often am playing Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings music. When I am focusing on something extremely mentally challenging, I listen to Quiet Quest Study Music on Youtube—but I must be careful, because it has the most beautiful scenery. I have caught myself gazing at the breathtaking nature scenes when I should be studying.

But for this Halloween study party, the playlist is going to look different than normal. The playlist will be inspired by Dark Academia. For those that don’t know what Dark Academia is, I love the definition that Urban Dictionary gives:

An aesthetic that is inspired by old and classic literature/philosophy, as well as themes of existentialism and death (essentially a knowledgeable, vintage emo). It revolves around a dark color scheme as the name implies, with hints of earthy tones as well, such as navy green, burgundy, cream, and brown/beige. This whole aesthetic is about looking like a wise-cracking, pretentious scholar, so you'd usually see one wearing plaid or suede dress pants, knitted turtlenecks, black belts, blazers, baggy overcoats, dress shoes/black heels, and pocket watches/gold vintage watches. You will occasionally find one lounging around in a used bookstore, reading old classics and writing poetry, or in a vintage coffee shop, ordering a black coffee or a green tea with no sugar.

Here are some examples of Dark Academia-inspired fashion (costume ideas, anyone?) and settings:

So, now that you have been acquainted with Dark Academia, without further ado, here is my Study Party Playlist:

1. A Discovery of Witches: Introducing Matthew Clairmont & Diana Bishop

A show with Witches, Demons, and Vampires, with many scenes set in the Oxford Library? Perfect for setting the tone of my Halloween study party.

2. Sherlock Holmes: Discombobulate

Who doesn’t love Sherlock Holmes? The character's intelligence and the music's mysterious and shadowy essence make it the perfect inspiration to the listening scholar.

3. Best BBC Sherlock Soundracks—2 Hours Long

We now take it to the modern, BBC version of Sherlock with the wonderful Benedict Cumberbatch who might I say, plays his role to perfection. This Youtube link plays 2 hours of the best soundtracks from the four season show (which was not enough—we need more seasons!).

4. The Mummy Returns (2001) Music and Ambiance

This is the perfect bit of nostalgia for grad students on a Halloween night. I can assure you that the scarab beetles scenes are permanently burned in our brains until we go to our graves! *Side note, click below to watch ‘Flesh-Eating Scarab Beetles Compilation’ from the Mummy movies*

Though it may not seem like a lot, this playlist totals out to be a little over 3 hours long. I’d say it’s the perfect length for students such as myself. We simply don't party all night long like we used to back in the early days of University. We have more responsibilities now.

So fellow grad students—you’re invited. Come and hang out, or just pull out your books and laptop, enjoy the ambiance, and get studying. And if you can’t come, you can still party with us in spirit on Halloween. Wherever you are, just turn on this playlist and dress up in some dark academia clothing (find at your local thrift store!) and you’ll have the best Halloween you’ve had since you started adulting.