Music acts as a cultural tether that works into the minds and hearts of all listeners. From across the globe, music is used for multiple purposes– from people’s moods to a way of focus, it has multiple meanings and uses. 

“I really feel music is a way for people to bond. It shows self-expression and how different people can be different but similar at the same time,” Elliot Newman (10) said.

Music is used as a way for many people to show expression as Newman discusses, the way some people present themselves can be very different from their music taste. 

“I feel like there’s a very stereotypical way of thinking about music and who listens to it, you know.” Jayeon Henderson (10) explained, “I mean for me I listen to a lot of R&B you know, but because I’m a black man, people assume I listen to rap and hip hop.” 

While music can be used as a way to define people, it is also used to show the uniqueness and difference in those around us.

“I mean music doesn’t define anybody like, do I think people think I listen to Taylor Swift? No, but that’s what makes me, me you know. It makes me happy and I don’t care what people got to say about it,” Zaequan Reed (10) said.

Music can be used to categorize people but throughout the years, music has become a middle ground for all types of listeners.

“I feel that music can be very categorized by race, but it’s very broad. Especially in this generation, I feel like everyone listens to everything, no matter your race or how you like to present yourself,” Zoe Hepola (10) said.

Music is used not only to show people’s differences but also to show the mood and lifestyle people are into. 

“I honestly listen to whatever music I’m in a mood for,” Reed said, “If I’m in a violent mood, I listen to violent music or something that makes me mad and then cause havoc. But when I want something calm or happy, I listen to Taylor Swift, she calms me down.”

The type of music, but also the type of artist, can truly make a difference in the day to those listening. 

“Honestly listening to music that I like just makes me feel better during the day no matter the mood I’m in,” Dosha Camaco (9) said.

Music is extremely influential to young minds. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, from the years of adolescence, “music is averagely listened for 2.5 hours plus throughout the day.” This makes the type of music that is listened to extremely effective on a day’s mood. 

“I think music affects me a lot. It helps me process my emotions and my feelings and it feels deeper, like instead of everything rambling in my mind,” Hepola said.

While music can be used for listeners to enjoy, it is also extremely beneficial to study habits and time spent to focus. 

“I am a believer that a majority of students do work better listening to music,” Smoky Counselor Catherine Kaiser said.

According to The New York Times, “60% of students in America who create study habits with music and use music to focus throughout the day have a 3.2 GPA or higher.”

Music is used to study and focus just as much as it is used for pleasure throughout the day. The type of music between these two may differ. 

“When I’m studying with music, I do like like to listen to more lofi and classical music. But if I’m locked in, I can honestly listen to any music,” Camaco said.

According to The New York Times, “50-60 percent of students choose to listen to lofi or classical music while studying.”

While ‘lofi music’ as a genre is initially referred to as a low-quality recording with audible imperfections, such as background noise or performance mistakes, it is known to help students focus more while studying.

Alongside classical music, both are used to decrease anxiety and create a calming working environment.

“I generally lean towards lofi while studying. It just makes it a little more peaceful while studying,” Hepola said.

Music is used on a daily basis by many students whether it is to show their mood or help them focus, students use music to help identify themselves. 

“At high school, people are trying to identify themselves and I think that music is a huge part of [a] student’s identity,” Kaiser said.

Music is very influential on study habits, and lifestyles. No matter the cause, music is used to express people’s emotions and state of minds.