We’re sure you can spot at least a few students with AirPods in or headphones on, wherever they are. Whether it’s during class or in the hallway, you can always see people on their phones, skipping to the next song. But why is this? Why do students always tend to listen to music whenever they can?
Music is often described as a language of emotions, frequently conveying certain feelings more effectively than can be expressed through normal conversation. Different types of music evoke different emotions in listeners. For example, rap music can make one feel energetic, while calmer R&B or soul music can help one feel more relaxed and peaceful. Music is a widespread form of parasocial emotional regulation; in simpler terms, a one-sided way to express and regulate emotions.
In addition, school and extracurricular activities can be extremely stressful and overwhelming for individuals, and music, apart from serving as an emotional regulator, can also be a way to escape from reality, according to VeryWellMind. Even if only for a short time, one can find a mental space free from pressures through music.
“Music is my way of expressing my feelings,” said Sujan Vemulapalli ‘27. “No matter how bad my day was, I could always resort to listening to music to lighten my mood and relieve some of my stress.”
Music doesn’t just serve as an escape from the worries of everyday life but also as a motivator to focus on the present. Many people, especially students, don’t play music to tune out the outside world. Instead, they want to create a personal environment where they can concentrate on their work. Background music while studying or doing homework helps reduce external noise and internal boredom, allowing for more focused study, according to SimplyPsychology.
“Normally, I’m always distracted by one thing or another, but whenever I’m listening to music, I feel a lot more focused and more productive,” said Adhia Deenu ‘29.
By studying with an instrumental soundtrack, students significantly reduce stress hormone production and lower their heart rate, silencing the chaos of their surroundings to help active recall and overall brain function. In addition, music targets the brain’s reward system, releasing chemicals like dopamine to boost motivation and promote continued study, making learners more active, determined, and high-achieving. As if providing this much wasn’t enough, music gives people the opportunity to make more social connections as well.
“Music has helped me socially by making it easier to connect with others who prefer a specific genre or artist that is similar to mine,” said Shantan Sai Yenigalla ‘28.
Music can foster group identity and get rid of feelings of social isolation. In other words, knowing that at least a few people share similar music interests with you helps build stronger bonds. Listening to music with others also releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes trust, unity, and belonging, according to PubMed Central.
Ultimately, music doesn’t just reinforce individual support and motivation, but it also reinforces group acceptance and inclusion for all. Just a few seemingly simple songs or even lyrics can change someone’s entire mood, helping students at EHS improve mentally, socially, and academically.
