Student success is dependent on many factors, with the most obvious being the effort of the student and the resources given to them. Some of these factors can be less obvious and completely individual to the student.
The University of Maryland Global Campus cites music’s fundamental benefits towards the academic success and mental well being of college students.
“One study found that people who listen to music in either a casual or focused way had higher scores for mental wellbeing and reduced levels of anxiety,” UMGC says.
Students at NECC have shared their personal ties to music, and how it contributes to their academic and personal enjoyment.
Darianna Sanchez is a 19 year old business major, as well as a first year student at NECC. When asked, Sanchez was quick to refer to herself as a “music enjoyer,” consuming music most often through Apple Music. Sanchez states that she listens to music “most often either when (she’s) doing homework or when (she’s) in the car driving.”
Sanchez isn’t the only NECC student that cites music as a means for academic success. Shademah Robinson, an 18-year-old student at NECC, also listens to music as she’s at home doing work.
She uses Spotify or SoundCloud to consume the music she enjoys. Additionally, Robinson listens to music “at school, and sometimes at work,” to help her with productivity.
Music can have an impact on students beyond educational achievement. Sanchez states that she enjoys R&B music because she “loves the way that they sing on those songs,” in addition to hip hop. She cites her favorite artists as Drake, Sza, Bryson Tiller and Brent Faiyaz.
Robinson shares an admiration for R&B, with an additional interest in rap. She also listens to Drake and Sza, but enjoys music from Kehlani, Jhené Aiko, Bad Bunny. Robinson lists her favorite songs as “Pipe Down” by Drake and “MONACO” by Bad Bunny.
When asked what she likes about these songs, she states that “when (she’s) going through a rough situation, songs like that can lift (her) mood and get (her) out of that negative headspace,” she states.
For Sanchez, music can convey powerful emotions and recover important memories. Her favorite song is “No Crezcas Más” by Tercer Cielo. The song reminds her of her step dad who passed away a few years ago. “Whenever I think about him, I go back to my quinceñera videos, and this is the song we used for our father-daughter dance,” she says. Sanchez’s stepdad had dedicated the song to her.
Sanchez relates to the overall messaging of the song, as it discusses the difficulties fathers go through when they see their daughters get older. “I feel like girls go through a lot when they grow up,”
Sanchez shares when discussing the song’s meaning to her. The song starts with the lyrics “Y pensar que te cargaba en mis brazos, el día de ayer/ Tan rápido ya quince años, no puede ser,” which, in English, translates to “And to think I was carrying you in my arms yesterday/ So quickly and already fifteen years old, it cannot be.”
“The power of music” is a phrase that sparks introspection from NECC students. “I feel like music can be used for anything,” says Sanchez when asked about this phrase.
“I personally use music to communicate with others.”
Sanchez also touches on music’s relatability, as well as her general enjoyment when listening to it. She is quick to refer to music as “fun.”
When asked the same question, Robinson has to take a second to think on music’s impact. In a general sense, she describes music as “a mood lifter” within her life.
“Music is a way of connecting people,” she states. “It makes me feel better.”
Robinson also acknowledges the way music can spark conversation between individuals. “You can talk to people about music and songs can have a lot of stories to them.”
