Fall quarter is in full swing, which means one thing: a new season has begun. Especially when my route to lectures has been the background for so many of my favorite shows and movies, it’s hard not to pretend that even the most mundane moments of my day are scenes from a coming-of-age movie.
The scene is already set: the only thing left to make your quarter Oscar-worthy is the perfect score. Luckily for you, I’ve already done the work and made your new fall playlist for the main character in all of us. And plot twist—every song is inspired by a movie or show filmed on UCLA’s campus.
- For An Extra Pep In the step
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How could I make this playlist without starting off with Elle Woods from Legally Blonde? Despite attending Harvard Law School in the film, many of the university scenes were actually shot right here on UCLA’s campus at locations like Kerckhoff patio.
Because I could only dream of reaching Elle’s laser focus and impeccable class outfits, I selected a song that blends together her academic weapon work ethic and bubbly personality. Besides being one of my favorite pop songs of the year, “Feather” by Sabrina Carpenter matches Elle’s energy with upbeat instrumentals and empowering lyrics. “Feather” is the ultimate track for moving on and moving up: with an extra pep in our steps, we can ace our classes with that “What, like it’s hard?” attitude.
- For The Daily Coffee Commute
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Next up on my playlist are two songs inspired by The Sex Lives of College Girls. While fictional Essex University is a combination of multiple college campuses, UCLA’s very own Kerckhoff Coffee House provides the set for Sips.
While I sip on my latte at Kerckhoff, I’ll be listening to “Alien Superstar” by Beyoncé and “Talk Too Much” by Reneé Rapp. “Alien Superstar” reminds me of Bela Malhotra, whose confidence is something we should all try to embody this school year. And “Talk Too Much” comes from the show’s very own Leighton Murray AKA theater-kid-turned-pop star Reneé Rapp.
Side note: if you haven’t already listened to her debut album Snow Angel, you’re seriously missing out.
- For The Mid-Quarter Crisis
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My next song is inspired by a comfort rewatch fit for sweater weather: Gilmore Girls. Rory Gilmore may as well have been a Bruin because her tour of “Harvard” was actually—surprise, surprise—filmed at UCLA.
Inspired by the queen of cozy fall study sessions, I couldn’t not choose “There She Goes” by the La’s. I truly don’t think there is another track that quite captures the nostalgic, movie montage-feel of “There She Goes.” In just under three minutes, a bustling Bruin Walk can become the charming Stars Hollow.
- For The Barbz & Barbies
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Finally, I had to end this playlist with a bang: “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice. While I wish our campus was full of Barbie Dreamhouses and Mojo Dojo Casa Houses, Barbie was not shot at UCLA. However, another summer blockbuster, Oppenheimer, was filmed at several UCLA spots like the Charles E. Young Grand Salon. To keep the ‘Barbenheimer’ wave rolling into the fall, I’ll be living in a Barbie World on my way to office hours.
Whatever is in store for you this fall quarter, just know that you have the exciting opportunity to write your own story. And with the right soundtrack, you can make every experience good for the plot. It’s time for lights, camera, action! I’ll keep my popcorn handy.