Please Don't Stop the Music.

What is it about music that makes everything ok?  No matter what I’m feeling – I could be overwhelmed, recently find out bad news, or just soul searching- and I can always find the perfect song to make everything in the world seem irrelevant.  I never used to listen to music until I needed some sort of safe haven at college. Sharing a bedroom, bathroom, and bedtime were things that I never experienced at home and were things that I was struggling with. It’s weird to have to ask if I can change the channel on the TV, or worry about eating my roommate’s chips instead of mine.  It’s even weirder to be so far away from my family and friends.  I used to struggle to find places to study that were quiet and comfortable enough that I could still focus.  My roommate always had her headphones in and so one day I decided to try it.  I haven’t looked back.

I’ve found that it’s so much easier to concentrate when you have your books, or computer, and music and that is all.  Over the past few months I have developed different iTunes play lists for my different feelings or types of work I had to get accomplished. When I need to write a paper I usually go for Colbie Callait or Natasha Bedingfield.  When I’m just researching or wandering on the web I tend to listen to more intense music; such as Dashboard Confessional, or Jimmy Eat World.  When I miss home I listen to oldies and classics that remind me of fond memories that I experienced with my family.

Recently, I’ve found myself missing my family and old routine more than ever.  The transition from high school to college was easy for me – how couldn’t it be with all of the distractions and new friendships.  But, these past weeks have been extremely hard for me to get through.  I don’t think that I’d be here and focused if it wasn’t for music.  It’s such an overrated gift that we’re all given.  Not appreciating things to their full potential seems to be a common theme in my life lately.  But, now I can honestly say I’m thankful for the world of music and how it applies and helps my world of academia and life in general.