After a year wrapped jazzy and muted, students often find peace in creative outlets — one often being music.

Spotify, Apple Music and other listening platforms mirror how far we have come. From that cringe phase you had in early February that was completely forgotten to the song of the moment that is raging through your teacher’s lecture, music is so much a part of our lives and therefore so much a part of our growth and transfiguration.

Music tells the story of our lives — the challenges we combat and adventurous roads we take. Revisiting a song can open Pandora’s box or spark a karaoke session in the car. Music lights the candles in the horror-filled mansion and on the sugary birthday cake. You can’t deny how much it trickles into everything. You can’t deny its interpretations.

By appreciating the haters and crazed fans, critics and crowd pleasers, looking back doesn’t feel burdensome but rather relieving. You’re a year older, a year wiser. Though it may feel like you’re looking through binoculars at your past self, no matter where you stand, reflection is crucial for improvement in school and personal life, yet it raises an important question: how can you top this year with a bow?

Reminisce the reiterated memes and trends that we will never live down — the media that raises questions and concerns about our intellectuality. Face the music and excruciating encore. Let the water run under the bridge and the melodious nostalgias ring true. Your past can’t be extracted as it makes you “you.”

You may have heard the saying that with time comes change, but how does this alteration come about?

Reflection can spawn recognition, which leads to actions of revision. What you’ve done in the past can create adjustments for your future.

You may have heard that what you think is who you are, but how can we modify what is so deeply integrated?

Long story short, start with reflection.

This year’s end, don’t just contemplate your image in the ripples — the water is warm, so dive in.