As a rising senior, I feel like I’ve finally explored every corner of FSU’s beautiful, ever-changing campus. Whether I’m wandering on a gloomy day or soaking up the sun with my headphones on, certain places have become tied to specific songs I can’t escape. At this point, these spots practically have their own soundtracks.
Here are four songs that play in my head every time I pass by or spend my time at these spots:
Doak Campbell Stadium: “Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift
I’ve been working at Doak since the beginning of my sophomore year as a student assistant at the registrar’s office. I love the staff, the community, and, of course, working for Florida State. During breaks, I’ll throw on my headphones and take a few laps around the stadium. It’s the perfect reset, especially in the middle of a stressful week filled with classes and work.
“Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version)” from Taylor Swift’s Red, originally featured on The Hunger Games soundtrack, captures the rush of emotions I feel every time I walk around Doak Campbell Stadium. It’s the soundtrack to those moments when everything feels like it’s falling apart, yet you know you have to keep moving forward.
As I circle the stadium, I notice the small details like the trees, students sunbathing on the grass across the Heritage Towers, and friends out for afternoon walks or runs. It reminds me how full life is, how much there is to look forward to. The song pulls me back to my childhood, to working hard in high school, to making it to FSU and building a life of my own here.
At the same time, it reflects the weight of it all. The academic pressure, the social expectations, the constant drive to succeed. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Life can be unforgiving, and not everyone will have your best interests at heart.
This song is a reminder to stay alert, trust yourself, and keep pushing forward. No matter who’s watching or waiting for you to break down, the only thing that really matters is resilience and staying focused on your own path.
Circling Doak reminds me that everything falls back into place. Things can change and spin like circles and seasons, but good things will return through perseverance and growth.
Landis Green: “Scar Tissue” by the Red-Hot Chili Peppers
On a beautiful, sunny Florida day, Landis Green feels like a work of art. It shimmers with energy, reflecting the many people who inhabit it each day. Like any great artwork, it tells a story much like the people who pass through it.
The opening line, “Scar tissue that I wish you saw,” speaks to past pain and hidden struggles, while the song as a whole reflects the trials and tribulations of life that ultimately lead to growth and healing.
The song also evokes a West Coast vibe, laid-back and easygoing, which is exactly what Landis Green embodies. It’s a place to relax, catch up with friends, have fun, play outside, and soak in the sun and breeze. Everyone carries some form of damage or imperfection, but college often feels like a fresh new chapter in life.
Legacy Walk: “The Wonder of You” Cover by Villagers
I love Elvis Presley’s “The Wonder of You,” and especially the cover by Villagers. It brings a more modern feel to the song, slightly emo and folk-inspired, which gives it a fresh emotional depth.
This song captures Legacy Walk so well because it reflects a strong sense of gratitude, evoking appreciation, thankfulness, and nostalgia for my school.
I have class in HCB on Mondays and Wednesdays, so when Market Wednesday arrives, the area fills with students from across campus, along with passionate student organizations and local vendors offering food, art, clothing, music, and books. I’m constantly in awe of the students at FSU and all they accomplish. It’s inspiring to see so many people working hard while pursuing such unique passions.
FSU students truly elevate the beauty of the campus, and I feel a deep appreciation for the strength and hope that the community fosters. The song’s lyrics also carry a spiritual quality, and in that sense, FSU feels like a place that gives me the strength to always carry on.
Strozier Library: “Work” by Charlotte Day Wilson
Strozier is my designated spot to lock in. With finals approaching, I’ve been going there every weekend to catch up on studying for different classes and prepare as much as I can. It can be tedious and even feel repetitive, but a full day at Strozier has a lot of moving parts: swiping my student ID to get in and out, rotating between study spots on different floors, and taking breaks at Starbucks for a quick energy boost.
The song mirrors that same rhythm of effort, blending a soft soul sound with lyrics about personal hustles over a looping drumbeat and wandering guitar, capturing what it feels like to keep powering through.
These song selections really capture the essence of some of Florida State’s most iconic spots, making those places feel even more meaningful. Music is a powerful medium; it can come to represent the moments and locations that matter most to us.
I’m truly grateful for my time at Florida State, and I hope other students, as they walk across campus, have their own songs tied to their favorite places.
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