As an RA or student staff member, you may be looking for ways to connect with your residents and create a positive, welcoming environment. One underused but incredibly powerful tool for connection is music. Music is something nearly everyone has an opinion on. It’s emotional. It’s nostalgic. It can energize, calm, uplift, or give voice to feelings that are hard to express with words. Used intentionally, music can help you build deeper connections with residents, support their well-being, and create a more inclusive community atmosphere.
Track 1: Use Music to Spark Personal Conversations
Music is deeply personal. It’s tied to memories, identity, and mood. Asking someone what kind of music they like, or better yet, what song reminds them of a meaningful moment, is a great way to start a conversation that goes beyond small talk. You might be surprised by what you learn. A resident might share that a certain song reminds them of home, a difficult experience they’ve overcome, or a moment of celebration. These conversations can help you build rapport and trust, and they give residents an opportunity to reflect and express themselves.
Try This:
- During one-on-ones, ask residents: “Is there a song that always brings you back to a specific time in your life?” or “What song feels like your personal anthem right now?”
- Use their responses to learn more about who they are, what they value, and what kinds of support they might need from you.
Track 2: Create an Inviting Atmosphere with Background Music
The environment you create in your community matters. The tone, lighting, and even the sounds in a space can affect how people feel. Soft background music during programs, meetings, or study sessions can help residents relax and feel more comfortable. Of course, the key here is to be intentional. The volume should be low enough not to distract, and the playlist should be appropriate for everyone. Genres like instrumental, jazz, acoustic, or lo-fi beats tend to work well for this purpose.
Try This:
- Play music before a floor meeting starts to make the space feel less formal and more welcoming.
- Host a study night with relaxing music playing in the background and snacks to set a calm, focused tone.
- Rotate who gets to choose the background playlist to encourage resident involvement and variety.
Track 3: Build Community with a Shared Playlist
One of the easiest and most inclusive ways to get residents involved is to create a community playlist. Ask each resident to contribute one or two of their favorite songs. This can be done digitally (like through Spotify or Apple Music) and shared with the floor. It’s a fun way to get to know each other’s tastes, spark conversations, and recognize the diversity of your community. What starts as a simple list of songs can quickly become a symbol of shared identity. A musical snapshot of your community’s vibe.
Try This:
- Create a Spotify playlist called “[Your Floor] Mixtape” and have everyone submit their favorite song.
- Play it in the background during events or hangouts.
- Highlight a “song of the week” from the playlist and let the person who submitted it explain why they chose it.
Track 4: Ask Not Just What Someone Listens To, But Why
A lot of people will tell you they love a certain artist or genre, but asking “why” opens up a much richer conversation. Maybe a resident loves a specific artist because they got them through a rough patch. Maybe they admire the message in the lyrics, or maybe it’s something that connects them to their family, culture, or identity. When you take time to explore the “why” behind someone’s music preferences, you show genuine interest in them as a person. It can also create space for them to share personal stories and reflect on their values and emotions.
Try This:
- During intentional conversations, follow up on music talk with questions like: “What do you connect with in their lyrics?” or “Does this remind you of a specific time in your life?”
- Use this insight to better understand what motivates and challenges your residents.
Track 5: Use Music to Reflect and Check In
Music can be a great way to help residents reflect on how they’re feeling. Sometimes, putting emotions into words is difficult. This is especially true during stressful times like midterms, homesickness, or roommate conflicts. Music can be a tool to help students express themselves more freely. You can use this technique during community meetings, one-on-ones, or even passive programming.
Try This:
- Start a floor meeting by asking: “If your week were a song, what would it be?” Go around the room and let people share (if they’re comfortable).
- Create a “Mood Music” board where residents can anonymously write down song titles that reflect their current mood or feelings.
- Use your own favorite songs to share your story or check in with residents. Vulnerability encourages vulnerability.
Why This Matters
When you use music intentionally in your RA work, you can build relationships, foster emotional expression, and create shared experiences. Music breaks down barriers. It connects people across differences. It allows us to communicate what we sometimes can’t say out loud. As an RA, leveraging this tool thoughtfully can help you better support your residents and cultivate a more connected, compassionate, and inclusive community.
Adapted from The Res Life Mixtape Vol. 1: Using Music in Your Work
