Finals week is here at last, and your motivation and energy for the semester have just about been used up. But never fear – if there is one thing I have learned during my time in college, it is that the perfect playlist can help you survive just about anything. So here is my favorite mix of stress-beating tracks to help you tackle your studying, ace your exams, and check off the rest of your end-of-semester to-do list.
- You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
A classic, cheery song, this is one of my favorites to help me get up and out of bed on long, busy winter days. You may remember it from Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s dance sequence in 500 Days of Summer (if you haven’t seen it, watch the second link below – it’s great!) In any case, the peppy beat and catchy lyrics are sure to wake you up and get you moving for the crazy day ahead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_I4wtNPv5w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tJoIaXZ0rw
- Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
While sleep may not be something you are getting a lot of during finals week, this is another upbeat track to get your day going. An alternative classic from my high school days, its quirky and synthesized electro pop sound is bubbly and unique, enough to make you want to put this song on repeat as you run from Gelman to Starbucks and back again during those inevitable all-nighters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThbJtOAkHy4
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
It is not always easy to buckle down and focus on studying – sometimes, loud, lyric-filled songs can be a distraction from whatever you are working on. That is why this track is perfect; it is definitely not a New Age-y spa track of running water, but its sound is still very chill and can easily cut out background noise without cutting into your focus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU
- The Underdog – Spoon
This is the perfect fast-paced song to inspire you to get cracking on those mountains of term papers, take home finals, and study guides you need to finish. On top of that, the title definitely fits: you may feel like the underdog during finals week, but you will eventually get everything done and come out on top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UhzJUaLcg
- Thrift Shop – Macklemore feat. Ryan Lewis
It is a scientific fact that breaking up prolonged periods of focused studying with intense physical activity helps you to learn more during your study time. My personal interpretation of this is dancing it out – for every hour of studying, turn on a good dance song and shake out all of your stiff joints and neck tension by having an impromptu dance party. What do you think those study rooms in Gelman are for, anyway? With that said, this song really does not have much to do with studying or finals. It is just ridiculously addictive, and if every single time it is ever played in public is any indication, no one is immune to dancing and/or singing along to it when it comes on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEBEK-etXrM
- Under Pressure – Queen feat. David Bowie
If the hook sounds familiar, it is not because they stole it from Vanilla Ice. While his trashy classic “Ice Ice Baby” does sample this song, the original by these two ’80’s megastars is far superior. Not to mention it perfectly describes the atmosphere of finals week – at the end of the semester, who is not “Under Pressure?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUW_8cWG7YA
- Do The Panic – Phantom Planet
Better known for their “California” fame (yup, that was the theme song of The OC), Phantom Planet also had a somewhat of a hit with this song. It played in the Gossip Girl episode where all of the kids take the SATs (and by all of the kids, I mean everyone except Chuck Bass, who pays someone to take it for him) and it is the perfect soundtrack for that kind of high-stress situation. On another note, I saw Phantom Planet live a few years back and they had yet to decide how to actually do “the Panic.” Last I heard they were still taking suggestions as to what kind of a dance move it should be, so if you get inspired, maybe procrastinate on studying by making a YouTube response? Sounds productive to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkAHO7CmwHU
- Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
Another oldie-but-goodie; as you reach the end of this playlist, hopefully you are reaching the end of finals week as well. Maybe you are exhausted and sick of studying, but the good news is it is almost time for you to go home and enjoy the holidays with family and high school friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXsmGSnq3lE
9. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
You made it! Your last exam is done, your bags are packed, and you are ready to head home for the holidays. This track is the perfect anthem to celebrate everything that you have accomplished – after all, you survived finals week!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4OOum4Vm-M
10. Closing Time – Semisonic
Even though you will be more than ready to leave campus by the time finals are over, do not forget to take a moment and recognize that you have another semester down. It may feel like August was just yesterday, but the Fall 2012 semester is officially coming to a close. While this may feel bittersweet, rest assured that there are plenty of good times ahead in 2013. And as Semisonic so rightly points out, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUMdzXKuuco