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Back to School Playlist

The transition from summer to fall for me doesn’t bring forward thoughts of leaf piles, pumpkin carving or strolls through the ever-changing leaves. No, it brings about thoughts of expensive textbooks, cafeteria food, third floor living, and all night study sessions. Yes, the start of the fall season gets me to thinking about my crazy life as a college student and trying to keep myself sane.

Transitioning myself from summer workaholic to student homeworkaholic can sometimes send me reeling. So in order to help balance myself out, I turn to the soothing, motivational, mood-boosting and therapeutic properties of music. So here are a few of my choices to help anyone get through the transitional period between summer and fall.

1. “Uprising” by Muse. I picked this as my first song because I find myself needing a lot of motivation when starting school again. Songs like this, with upbeat tempos and moving lyrics, are sure to make you feel like you can take on the world (or for me, take on a 15 – 20 page term paper).

2. “Mhysa” by Ramin Djawadi. This is a song from the soundtrack of the third season of Game of Thrones. It has a slow and quieter start before it builds, not only in instrumentals, but the chorus as well. I find that once I do get motivated I need to find the perfect music that will help me concentrate. For me, this is movie/TV soundtracks. They offer (typically) lyric-free music that works well in the background, while at the same time offering up music of epic proportions that make you feel like your work is turning into an intense battle that you are determined to defeat.

3. “Husks and Shells” by Volcano Choir. Once I am finished with my work I find that I am beat and in dire need of a power nap. This song is a perfect example of something that you can close your eyes to and relax. The lack of heavy bass and presentation of acoustic guitars skillfully paired with the intermittent quiet crooning of the vocalist, make it easy for your body to unwind.

4. “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners. After all is said and done, sometimes life can be stressful and bring you down. It is my belief that everyone should find that one song that no matter what mood you are in, it can lift you back to great spirits. For me, this is that song. If I have had a long stressful day at work, I got a bad grade, or am just missing home, I can always play this song and know that I will smile. The lyrics, in all truthfulness, aren’t entirely that important. It’s more the tune of the song that is enticing for me. It’s happy, bubbly and infectious.

Regardless of whether you are a student returning to school or simply a vacationer returning to work, keeping your songs balanced now can help keep you sane later. My playlist is a compilation of songs that work together to keep me motivated, focused, relaxed and happy.

Grace Johnson has worked away the summer at Skyway Drive-In, Schoolhouse Artisan Cheese and as the Pulse’s copyediting intern. She will shortly return to Lawrence University to continue her studies in English literature.