Whether you are embarking on a longer walk to your class that’s on the opposite side of campus or putting your AirPods in for a brief transition between classes, the music that you choose to put on is very telling of what you are experiencing at that specific moment in your life. Here is some insight into what the music you gravitate toward during these moments of transition says about you.
Folk mix
If you find yourself shuffling songs from artists such as Blood Orange, George Harrison, Mt. Joy and Neil Young, you definitely are taking a retrospective approach to the day. Either you just took a difficult exam that you think went appropriately given how much you studied, or you are having a less work-heavy week and trying to savor the moments of calmness before the workload starts to ramp back up again. You walk the longer route to your classes because you want to enjoy the nice transition of weather (before it gets windy and cold again in the blink of an eye), and you specifically chose to wear an outfit prioritizing style over comfort to welcome in the change of seasons. The air feels brighter and less heavy, and you are in a more appreciative state of mind.
Rock mix
If Allman Brothers Band, Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin are among your rock favorites as you walk to class, you are trying to keep your spirits and motivation up as you head into a week that you anticipate will take a lot out of you and diminish any remaining high spirits from the weekend prior. You are experiencing a slight come down from a weekend of fun (and maybe not the most productive one) but are feeling regulated and ready to take the week by storm. You might be walking a bit faster to get to class because you underestimated the walk time again, and you are trying to remain in a clear headspace, turning the music up a little bit too loud to not think too much of the growing list of to-do’s for the week. You have tackled difficult stretches of time before and know that this one will be no different. As long as you lock in and maybe go M.I.A. for a few days, the work will get done.
Pop and rap mix
If you are shuffling a mix of pop and rap on your way to class, like Don Toliver, Tate Mcrae and Future, you are likely to be experiencing one of two scenarios: either you have just had a week full of academic trials and tribulations and are approaching academic burn out, or you have just come out on top with completing the impossible: managing a difficult workload and excelling at each assignment. Your spirits and confidence are high, and you cannot wait to treat yourself to dinner out with friends by the end of the week. You feel ready to “shut your brain off” for a couple of hours after class to relish in the hard work you have done, and are already planning to take a walk around Centennial or watch the movie you have put off seeing because you have been so busy. If you are experiencing the former, you have chosen to keep pushing, regardless of any academic setback, and are using music as a coping mechanism to rally the motivation to tackle your next wave of assignments.
Indie mix
If your shuffled mix consists of boygenius, Lizzy McAlpine, Wolf Alice and Weyes Blood, you are likely listening intently to the lyrics and chords of each song that plays and have blocked out any stress or noise outside of your own head. You may be walking to a class that you have an exam or final presentation in or heading to your final class of the day before you can get back to your room and take a nap. It has been a long week, and you are feeling in the midst of the storm. You know that you have a bit of downtime before you need to lock back into your growing list of to-do’s, but still remain in a place where you are in calm spirits. You might be feeling a little bit homesick, either having just seen a picture of your dog at home or reminiscing on your Snapchat “two-years-ago-today” when you were on the best trip of your life. You know that you will confidently overcome any obstacle the week throws at you, but are ready for a weekend of self-care, reading a good book and finally catching up on much missed sleep.