Stephanie Marinelli ‘25, Managing Editor

While getting ready to write this article, I decided to challenge myself – what if I played a song that gets me going in the gym, while working on homework? I have always had a difficult time focusing my attention on more than one thing at once, as I prefer to completely “zone in” if you will. It’s just what has worked, and I’ve never veered away from this practice–until now. 

The thing is, when I listen to music, I need to fully immerse myself in the experience, singing every single lyric, and hitting every note. Nothing is more invigorating! This could further explain why I have stopped 6 times so far to regroup and gather my thoughts. I don’t understand how other people do it – how do they not worry that they’ll accidentally end up typing out a lyric in their paper? What if the song is extremely explicit? See my problem here? This is more than just a focus issue, it could lead to complete destruction of one’s reputation! I’d like to think that the situation would play out like this:

“My thoughts on this pressing matter are similar “starships are meant to fly” to..” 

(Mhavril39 et al.)

[The lyrics reference Nicki Minaj’s hit song, “Starships,” from the album Pink Friday. (Mhavril39 et al.)]

If you are wondering what exactly you just read – I don’t know either. And that’s my point – I get so lost in the tunes that my work then suffers. ***Right at this moment I had to get up and walk away for five minutes, because the song got to me.

However you study, complete tasks, or do work, just make sure you are creating a comfortable environment, and don’t feel pressured to wear headphones in the library because “they look cool.” I am always going to be a quiet floor resident, and I’m perfectly okay with that. 

And if you are one of my friend’s who is reading this, NO WE CANNOT DO OUR HOMEWORK TOGETHER! (no offense) 

Works Cited

McCullough, Morgan, and The Daily Campus. Student Working and Listening to
     Music. The Daily Campus, SMUDailyCampus, 29 Nov. 2021,
     www.smudailycampus.com/news/
     stop-stressing-and-start-listening-the-science-behind-listening-to-music-while-st
     udying. Accessed 27 Feb. 2023.

Mhavril39, et al. “Starships-Nicki Minaj.” Genius, ML Genius Holdings, 2012,

genius.com/Nicki-minaj-starships-lyrics. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.