In the hectic halls of high school, where stress and excitement intertwine, music has become my refuge. As a senior in my fourth year of high school, I’ve found that my diverse collection of playlists has helped me navigate the ups and downs of my academic journey.
A Playlist For Every Mood
My playlist is as varied as my experiences. It starts with soothing melodies that get me started early in the morning. I am currently obsessed with “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” by Gracie Abrams for driving to my five AM cross-country practices. I eventually switched the playlist to more upbeat tracks that energized me throughout the day. By the time the last bell rings, AirPods go back in my ears, and the country songs start playing at full volume. There is a playlist for every mood. Each playlist is curated to match a specific mood or activity, making it easier to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of high school life. Whether I’m studying, working out, or simply hanging out with friends, there is always a perfect playlist to set the right tone.
Creating Connections
Beyond personal enjoyment, music has also been a way for me to connect with others. Sharing playlists with friends has become a favorite pastime, sparking conversations and discovering new artists together. Every time someone in the friend group shares a playlist, they truly share a piece of themselves. I can almost hear them saying, “This is my favorite song, and I want you to hear it too!” So next time you are looking to genuinely connect with someone, consider sharing a playlist. Making a playlist full of songs you love is one of the best ways to discover yourself. It has also been proven to increase personal organization… which every student needs!
The Therapeutic Power of Music
Personally, music has been more than just a background noise. It’s been a way to cope with the challenges of high school. There were so many days that I felt overwhelmed and stressed, but putting on my favorite playlist always made things better. Most of the time it was the lyrics that I heavily resonated with or the melody that would instantly soothe me. Music has such a unique way of providing a safe outlet for expressing emotions. A recent study showed that music therapy is widely used in rehabilitation centers to help in physical and emotional healing. It has been proven to help improve speech, motor skills, and emotional resilience in patients recovering from illnesses.
Creating playlists is more than an activity, it is something that you can benefit from. It is a way to find your true self throughout every part of life. As I prepare to graduate, I know that music will continue to be a significant part of my life. I’m thrilled to create new playlists for college and see how my music taste evolves and what new song obsessions I have over the next few months!