What’s In Your Headphones?

As college students, we tend to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to having stress while trying to deal with anything college-related, but from experience and many friends/peers of mine, music is the number one way to destress, focus, or even just to walk around campus. I wanted to get different people’s opinions and find out their way of thinking when it comes to using music to help, so I interviewed three students to understand why they listen to the music that they do. I asked them the same five questions and got very different but interesting answers.

Interview 1: Leslie

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Tame Impala 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– The message in their songs, along with the beats, keeps me in the zone. The lyrics aren’t too distracting.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Techno or house music. The beats keep me in a constant though instead of having lyrics steering me away from my assignments.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– Passionfruit by Drake. It’s good vibes and I feel like I’m flowing through the school work taking it day by day.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Only Angel by Harry Styles. It had a good mix of buildup and intensity then relief when submitting the assignment.

Interview 2: Alyssa

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Ariana Grande tends to make songs that hit emotionally, Billie Eilish makes melodies that ease my stress and calms me down. 

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Usually girl pop, but if I really want to get into my zone, I usually put on a lo-fi radio station, and I usually tend to put that on for when I study or do my assignments/homework.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– My Future by Billie Eilish because It really has you thinking about not only school but life. 

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Count Contessa by Azealia Banks. It has good vibes all around and makes me feel like I’m that girl because I got it done before the deadline.

Interview 3: Ashley

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

–  Taylor Swift because she has a song for every feeling. If I’m feeling stressed, I usually put on Evermore or Folklore. If I want an album to hype me up, I’ll put on Fearless because that is just such a good pop album.

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Her music helps me focus because it creates a certain mood.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Pop music for sure because it’s upbeat and motivating.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– This Is Me Trying by Taylor Swift because I feel as though anybody can relate no matter what stage of life you’re in.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Time Of Our Lives by Pitbull feat Ne-Yo because it’s such an uplifting song.

Quote from my interview with Leslie

“The way music has the power to transport you back to a certain feeling or time is beautiful.”

For context, this playlist is one of my favorite playlists to listen to because it’s calming music to help you focus.

Final Thoughts

After taking the time to interview these students, I reviewed everyone’s answers, played all the requested songs, and sat down with them as I listened to everyone’s choices. Even to understand the way a song can mean so much to a person. It’s crazy to think how different each person answered and the type of music each one uses to focus.