What Can Music Be?

If you were to walk around UCLA's campus, you'd find that most students listen to music as they walk to class. In fact, many students listen to music around the clock–when they wake up in the morning, when they walk to campus, when they workout, and when they study. Students will often bond over music as well–making friends with students who listen to the same artists, talking about new albums and songs over lunch, and making plans to go to those famous LA concerts together. Most students also spend a significant amount of time curating their music taste–paying for subscriptions to streaming services and crafting the "perfect playlists"–so that this taste become a part of their individual brand.

So, why is it that so many students treat music as a necessity rather than a pastime? Especially when many adults feel that music is a distraction or could extend a less ethical culture to children, it is interesting that UCLA students–known to be intelligent, innovate, and hard-working–see music as such an important part of their lives.

Of course, as cellphones and streaming services have become accessible, the rate at which music is consumed has increased. This is why it appears that the younger generation listens to music so much more than the older generation did. It is simply because the younger generation can. Technology has advanced to the point where it is possible for music to be portable and playable at all time.

Is this a bad thing? Many adults argue that students have become dependent on music–that the music is used to avoid regular social interaction. It is not hard to see where this perception comes from; often times, students will wear headphones and listen to music when they don't feel like talking to anyone. Most students would agree that they do indeed do this, but I believe where the younger generation strays from the older one is that the younger generation doesn't see this as a bad thing. They don't think it's necessarily bad to retreat to one's self through music when social interaction isn't desired.

I think this may be because the younger generation is more exposed to ideas of self-care and awareness than generations before us have been (this is not to say that the generations before us were wrong, but rather, that we have the privilege to be able to pay attention to such things). Thus, students simply see listening to music as their personal time, where they can focus on their thoughts and emotions without having to forcibly interact with and entertain others.

Moreover, for many students, music is a way to keep themselves focused. When working in an environment like UCLA, there are countless possible distractions–from the activity at Kerckhoff Coffeehouse to the sounds of footsteps at Powell Library to the never-ending chatter of residential life. Thus, students will listen to music in order to maintain consistency. They like to hear the same, familiar songs and beats so that they can focus on their work. Students will even curate special playlists, some for the purpose of studying. These playlists don't have the same loud, dynamic songs you hear on the radio, but rather, songs that are slower and are meant to stimulate creativity and retention. As a result, music can be a benefit to many, even in the academic realm.

There is a final thing that music accomplishes for many students, and that is the ability for music to comfort students and help them interpret their own emotions. French poet Victor Hugo explains this sentiment when he says, "music expresses that which cannot be put into words." Indeed, college students have to deal with a great set of varied emotions–sometimes all at once. And thus, it makes sense that many turn to music as an outlet. For many, it's a kind of meditation–one that seeks to find peace and clarity.

Ultimately, music means something different to everyone. For some, it's just a fun pastime and for others it's much, much more. While students should be cognizant of the time they spend listening to music, it is much more important to understand why they are listening to it. It can be a vital way to bring people together, practice self-care, and stay on track in a dynamic environment.