Each week, Wenona’s student leaders share their insights with their peers in Assembly.

What do you do when you need to take a breath? Who do you talk to? And what happens if you just don’t want to talk?

For me, the answer is always music. And no, not writing, reading, playing, performing or any of the skills involved with making music, as Ms Lemon is well aware, but listening to music.

Music is an incredibly powerful medium. It can make us feel happy, calm, energetic, reflective, sad, peaceful, euphoric, connected, and so much more.

In our rapidly changing, constantly busy and often overwhelming world, it’s easy to default to a sense of distress. I think I can speak for most of Year 12 when I say that this year, these anxieties stem from the sense of unknown that comes with graduating. A milestone that is now only 119 days away. But the hourly switch between feeling so incredibly excited for the future and not wanting to graduate at all because change can be scary can get slightly uncomfortable. So, how to combat this?

There is a reason that almost every social event, fundraiser and retail shop is always playing music: to boost serotonin. Music has no boundaries. It connects people, no matter their age, nationality or background. It is prepared for every situation. You will often find me blasting Bella Ciao in my headphones before an Italian exam, just to set the tone.

I distinctly remember a poster that we used to have on the fridge at home for my younger brother, Darcy. Darcy was only around eight at the time, but struggled to control his anger, and the poster read “What to do when I see red”. Obviously, as older siblings, we still today make fun of Darcy for his short temper, but something about that poster stuck with me. Underneath the title, there was a list of activities: pass the footy with dad, ride my motorbike, listen to music. Just little things that he could do to take a step back, clear his mind and channel his emotions.

Over time, I’ve realised that no matter what I am feeling, music is always my first choice of escapism.

I was wired to believe that stopping and stepping away was giving up, that it was giving in to frustration and revealing a personal lack of determination. This could not be more wrong. One of the lasting lessons I’ve learnt over the past two years is the importance of taking a step back. Of taking a break from study when the words just aren’t flowing or walking away from an argument when you’re getting worked up. It is having confidence in your capabilities and knowing that you can do better: perhaps it’s just not right now.

I urge you to find the little things you can do when you see red and actively implement them into your life. Sometimes these small actions are all your brain really needs to get back on track, whether that be going for a walk, reading a book, or what you’ll find me doing – blasting music by Role Model through my headphones.