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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Whether walking across campus or studying in between classes, Auburn University at Montgomery students make it clear that music plays a major role in their daily routines, though no two playlists are alike.
When asked about their favorite genres, AUM students revealed a wide range of musical tastes. Among them, R&B stood out as one of the most popular, with students Julia Wesa, Aris Williams and Nicholas Hall all naming it as their top genre.
“I like listening to rap,” said Tara Portis, while Kyla Washington and Tara Williams both said hip hop dominates their playlists, highlighting the genre’s popularity across campus.
According to Music Therapy Perspectives, many college students intentionally use music to manage emotions, express identity and cope with stress. The study found that students often “listen to specific artists or genres to match or influence their moods”, highlighting music’s role as more than just background entertainment.
Beyond hip hop, many students gravitate toward alternative sounds. Bree Myers noted, “The music genre I listen to the most is alternative rock,” while Emma Harrison added that she listens mostly to ’90s punk rock. Indie music also appears on many playlists, with Mason Jones naming it as his favorite genre.
Though some students prefer modern alternative styles, others look to earlier eras of rock for inspiration. For Patrick Eiland, music taste is shaped by family influence. “I’m mostly a fan of classic rock stuff from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s,” he said, explaining that his father introduced him to the genre while he was growing up.
Research published in 2025 in Music Therapy Perspectives supports this connection between music and individuality, noting that college students often use music to “express personal identity” and connect with meaningful experiences in their lives. The study also found that students intentionally choose certain songs and genres to reflect their values, emotions and communities they identify with.
Social media plays a role in shaping listening habits as well. Destiny Crumpler said she listens mostly to pop because “TikTok has a lot of influence on what I listen to.”
With that being said however, some students’ tastes stand out from mainstream trends. Grace Brennan and Dalia Knox both said musical theater and show tunes rule their playlists.
Student Avian Rankin summed it up best, describing her music taste as “a mix of everything”, a phrase that perfectly reflects AUM’s diverse campus soundtrack. From rap and hip hop to indie rock and Broadway tunes, students are creating their own soundtracks to college life one playlist at a time.
