Put your head on my shoulder and listen to the Beatles with me on the bench next to the library as we watch strangers pass by us. Music is an emotion that resonates amongst us all and enables us to find people, who share similar interests. As a not-so-extroverted person, coming to university and talking to strangers was an exciting but frightening aspect for me as it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and talking to people I had never met before. Listening to songs together can form newer connections with people you are not familiar with. Music plays a pivotal role in strengthening social bonds and can assist people in socializing and creating memories with friends who will stick together with you for a lifetime (just like that one song you secretly jam to while taking a hot shower!)
Whether it’s indie pop or punk rock, music cannot be defined by a single genre or an iconic period of a golden era. Similarly, friendships cannot be tethered to boundaries, and there exist numerous ways in which you can find your people at university. You are not on your kid. Bonding over music is one of the easiest means by which you can talk to somebody new. Hesitant to initiate a conversation with a person in your Philosophy class? Just ask them the last song they were listening to while eating lunch. Seen someone wear a Nirvana t-shirt to class? Ask them if they are familiar with listening to any Nirvana songs other than Smells Like a Teen Spirit (lol).
One of my earliest recollections of speaking to somebody new at college also began with the sweet tale of music. Talking to people who had a similar music taste and sharing Spotify playlists helped me to bond with like-minded people. We used to rant about our mutual fondness of psychedelic rock, old dead musicians and mourn over the death of Kurt Cobain. Gradually, conversations about music paved the way for other things, that included stories about our hometown, the food we missed at home, and the way we had steadily adjusted to adulting, but the change felt very evident. Think about the thousands of such interactions we come across every single day daily. One out of the thousands of such encounters could result in the possibility and likelihood of a core memory and an incredible friendship.
One might think, what if we don’t have a common music taste or anything familiar to talk about? What if she likes Taylor Swift and I like Fleetwood Mac? An occurrence like this would still result in a memorable interaction because it will allow more room for thoughtful and interesting discourse on why you like what you like. It is crucial to remember that friendships can never happen overnight. Cinderella might have landed upon the fairy godmother, but in reality, it takes more than just one spell to transform a stranger into somebody you can share your deepest secrets with. The dedicated effort and time invested in talking to people is always deemed valuable and can never go to waste.
Listening to our favorite songs with loved ones not only enhances and elevates our mood but also facilitates the growth of social and identity development. Exchanging musical interests also helps us gain insight into people’s artistic side as well, which leads to intellectual stimulation and heightens the prospect of knowing one another. Exposure to different kinds of music would lead to more curiosity between friends and help in the interchange of novel ideas, which would cause an overall holistic development of individuals. Even though music can act as a mediator via which strong friendships can be formed, it is important to understand that time is a valuable asset that must be dedicated to fostering healthy relationships.
Music might not always be successful in making friends (cries in C minor). The person next to you may not always turn out to be a Kenrick Lamar fanatic, but it gives you the beneficial opportunity to inquire politely and know more about their interests. Delving deeper into somebody else’s preferences makes them feel noticed and appreciated. Thus, we see how music also helps in harboring a safe, secure and non-toxic environment, so I have learned after talking to people with similar musical interests. Bonding over music together can be extremely therapeutic and act as a stress buster, which is much needed in the fast-paced life at university.
Songs and melodies are not the only forms of communication and interaction with your fellow batchmates. Every individual appreciates and cherishes some form of art or the other, be it music, cinema or photography. The concept of sheer importance is breaking free from your cozy little bubble and going out of your way to put in that extra effort and initiating the first conversation with a stranger will make you feel tranquil. Trust me, as someone who has spent a significant amount of time eating dinner alone in the mess halls, it has positively impacted me in numerous ways. Staying in your comfort zone might appear to be tempting at first but it will not compel you to step out and have surprisingly pleasant experiences with people you have never even met before! So the next time you see someone sitting in the field alone with their earphones plugged on, tap lightly on their shoulder. Say hi with a warm and inviting smile. Take your chance and see what miracles it might lead to. You never know, this stranger could end up being your best buddy and your partner in crime. Soon, both of you will vibe to trashy EDM music, but who cares? You are no longer alone. You are never alone.