If you’re anything like me, you get distracted while studying. Very distracted. Ever notice that scratch on the
desk before today? Well, now you have.
Whether I’m doing homework or studying for an exam, I always seem to get
sidetracked by something around me.
As I begin to prepare for my first midterm
of the semester, I figured it was time to devise a plan to help me stay
focused. I asked my friends what distracts them the most when sitting at their
desk, added their notes to mine, and now I am sharing them with you. Hopefully these five tips will help you stay focused and ace that test!
1. Organize
your space. Nobody can study with a messy desk. Nobody. So get rid of whatever you
don’t need and keep the essentials nearby, such as pens, highlighters,
flashcards and your notes. If it does not apply to what you are studying, get rid
of it.
2. Hide
your phone. I know it is hard for us college kids not to check social media every 10
minutes, but that picture of your sorority sister when she was
two for Throwback Thursday will still be there in a couple of hours. Silence
your phone and set it aside; you do not need it to study.
3. Turn
on the lights. The brighter the room, the better it is for studying. Lights help you to
stay awake and focused, so open the blinds and turn on your desk light. Your
brain associates darkness with sleep, so the lights will help you to feel awake while reading your notes.
4. Keep
your room comfortable. The temperature of your room can play a huge factor in how efficiently
you are studying. If it is too cold, you will want to wrap yourself up in a
blanket, which will then cause you to get tired and not want to do your
homework. If the room is too hot, you will be uncomfortable and unable to
focus.
5. Don’t
study somewhere boring. The library is a great place to study in silence, but racks of books and
gray walls aren’t the most encouraging. Your surroundings can have a huge
effect on how well you are able to study, and can also affect your attitude
about the material in front of you. Choose places that will allow you to have a
positive mindset, and you are sure to do well on your next test!
Welcome back
Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends
or
LOG IN WITH FACEBOOKNo account? Create one
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Student Life![Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.]()
![Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.]()
![Towson University]()
![Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.]()
