Mind Your Own Music

Music is a universal language and is a way of life for many. Regardless of how music plays a role in your life, it is undoubtedly a part of it in one way or another. Music evokes specific emotions, tells a story, and brings people together. If you are anything like me, you may just spend hours upon hours listening to music every day. Music is meant to be enjoyed, but not all music appeals to everyone—especially on campus.

Recently, I have been involuntarily exposed to music that does not appeal to me. The type of music that does not adhere to the Vanguard University Student Handbook. 

According to the student handbook, inappropriate or lewd music is not tolerated. It is understandable that this kind of music cannot be totally avoided, but there must be a solution for those who do not want to hear it. Here are some ways in which I believe this problem can be alleviated.

A simple solution to this would be headphones or earbuds. Instead of cranking up the volume on your speakers to get a better listen, I find that noise-canceling earbuds do the trick just as well. This way music can still be enjoyed without disturbing neighbors. 

While some may argue that headphones are expensive, stores such as 711 sell variations of earbuds starting at the low price of $7.99 and the Vanguard University Bookstore carries earbuds starting at the low price of $9.99. 

Another way to fix this problem is to be aware of the time and place music is played. Obviously, playing music on a personal speaker cannot be totally eliminated, but being aware of the time and place in which it is played can help. 

For example, playing loud music on a speaker while quad-mates are studying is not a good idea. Being courteous to peers and surroundings is helpful in avoiding unnecessary stress. Being mindful of quiet hours (10:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) is also a way this stress can be alleviated. As a whole, everyone should think about our ideal studying situation and be mindful of those around us.

A final solution is to be mindful of the music being played. Yes, it is not against the rules to play music on a speaker, but the type of music is where it gets tricky. 

Since some types of music is not tolerated, be mindful of the music you decide to play aloud on campus. Not only can it get you in trouble, but it also disrupts and distracts the people around you. 

Overall, while lewd music is dominant in popular culture, I believe that people who don’t want to hear it should not have to—especially on a campus that prohibits it. Just remember to be courteous of others and to be mindful of your surroundings when enjoying your favorite music aloud.