It’s getting to be that time again. Quarter system, we are so back. A few short weeks until crash-outs and crises are heard around the bends of the bike paths and atop the bluffs at Sands Beach. A library full of “Is it too late to switch my major?”s and “Midterm Week 3? I’m dropping this class”s as we fall into the familiar rhythm (unforgiving blitz) of the school year, weaving in and out of love with the degrees we’ve elected to pursue.
Whether your major is exactly where you’re meant to be, or you’re having the classic second-year second thoughts, I believe a vibe check never hurts. And what better format than a classification of 15 UC Santa Barbara majors as Spotify daylists, with several songs for each?
All titles are real and inspired by daylists that I’ve received in the past month or so from Spotify, and songs are a combination of personal picks and Spotify selections.
Biology: COFFEE HOUSE R&B SUNDAY NIGHT
For long, caffeinated nights in the library spent huddled around a whiteboard with a loyal study group and an even more loyal pack of dry erase markers.
- “Snap My Finger” by KAYTRANADA ft. PinkPantheress
- “DHL” by Frank Ocean
- “Bloody Samaritan” by Arya Starr
- “Baby Drive It Down” by Toro y Moi
Communication: OBSESSED CORPORATE SATURDAY MORNING
I would trust you to select the slide deck theme for any group presentation ever. And thank you in advance for letting me borrow a note card for speaker notes.
- “Stateside” by PinkPantheress
- “Genius” by Ravyn Lenae
- “1901” by Phoenix
- “Killshot” by Magdalena Bay
Computer Science: BASED GEEKY 808 SATURDAY EVENING
Possibly an unlikely selection for one of UCSB’s most challenging majors, but coding takes a lot of brain power and I believe these beats will get you there.
- “SIERRA NIGHTS” by Kevin Abstract ft. Ryan Beatty
- “Ensalada” by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, ft. Anderson .Paak
- “Third Coast” by Teezo Touchdown
- “RIP” by LUCKI
Economics & Accounting: SENSATIONAL STANDING ON BUSINESS LATE NIGHT
This is what I would listen to if I was in a suit with my headphones on to drown out my boss as I crunched numbers and made money moves. Probably.
- “New Freezer” by Rich The Kid ft. Kendrick Lamar
- “745” by Vince Staples
- “Niagara Falls (Foot or 2)” by Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and 21 Savage
- “Ace Trumpets” by Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
English: WHIMSIGOTH ESOTERIC 90S AFTERNOON
When I see English majors, I see a tropical smoothie from Blenders and a sunny afternoon on the Lagoon Lawn spent trying to decipher course readings on grainy, impossible-to-read PDFs.
- “Cico Buff” by Cocteau Twins
- “Shadowboxer” by Fiona Apple
- “Skin & Bones” by The Sundays
- “Put Me Down” by The Cranberries
Environmental Studies: INDIE SURF ROCK CLIMBING SATURDAY EVENING
I do in fact, as an ES major, occasionally spend my Saturday evenings rock climbing. Maybe I’ll see you there. Maybe we can listen to our daylists together.
- “Rodeo Clown” by flipturn
- “when sunday comes around” by Marlon Funaki
- “Why Is It Light Out?” by The Kilans
- “Eternal Summer” by The Strokes
Film & Media Studies: EXPERIMENTAL GLITCH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Static, art pop, escape room. Everything cool and epic about the college experience, for the students who know best how to capture it.
- “Jesus Freak Lighter” by Blood Orange
- “Lovely Sewer” by Yves Tumor
- “Always Forever” by Cults
- “detonate” by Charli XCX
History of Public Policy and Law: LO-FI BEDROOM TROPICÁLIA EVENING
A little bit of this, a little bit of that, perfect for a major that does a little bit of it all with style and grace.
- “Clueless” by The Marías
- “Yam Yam” by No Vacation
- “Hiding tonight” by Alex Turner
- “Selfless” by The Strokes
Mathematics: POETIC CAT THURSDAY EARLY MORNING
Math either makes me want to scream in a dark room or curl up in a comfy chair with a spiral-bound notebook, #2 pencil and cup of tea — you can do both to soft, sad songs.
- “Free Now” by Gracie Abrams
- “Oldest Trick in the Book” by Matt Maltese and Bedouine
- “Vienna (In Memoriam)” by The Army, The Navy
- “Something to Believe” by Weyes Blood
Mechanical Engineering: INDIE GUITAR MONDAY AFTERNOON
Where does the automotive engineer learn to play the drums? Garage band. Hehe.
- “All These Things I’ve Done” by The Killers
- “The World At Large” by Modest Mouse
- “Raspberry” by GROUPLOVE
- “Cupid De Locke” by The Smashing Pumpkins
Political Science: NERVOUS MIDWEST EMO FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Songs for big thinkers and people who don’t let go of anything, ever.
- “Writer In The Dark” by Lorde
- “June Guitar” by Alex G
- “Incomprehensible” by Big Thief
- “Five String Serenade” by Mazzy Star
Physics: AMBIENT STARGAZING SUNDAY LATE NIGHT
Here’s to biking under the stars, weaving through Isla Vista to get home before the sun rises (some of the only known peace in the life of a UCSB physics student).
- “The Hours” by Beach House
- “Passing Time” by Tokyo Tea Room
- “do you light up?” by Dijon
- “Yes I’m Changing” by Tame Impala
Psychological & Brain Sciences: CHILL MONKEY FRIDAY NIGHT
Because apparently I listen to chill r&b, chill hip hop, monkey, leopard, sunbathing and shark on Friday nights, and I think you all might be into that too.
- “Sound of Rain” by Solange
- “Shattered Ring” by SZA
- “SUPERPOSITION” by Daniel Caesar ft. John Mayer
- “Surf” by Mac Miller
Sociology: JOURNALING MOODY FRIDAY EVENING
For my kind, beautiful, intelligent sociology major friends that think deeply and feel fully — as any good sociologist should.
- “Think Twice” by Suki Waterhouse
- “Current Affairs” by Lorde
- “He Wants The Rain” by Ha Vay
- “Old Recliners” by ROLE MODEL
Statistics & Data Science: RHYMES GOLF TUESDAY EVENING
You’re cool, you’re smart and we both know it. Here’s some music to reflect that.
- “Shibuya” by Free Nationals ft. Syd
- “97 Jag” by Kevin Abstract and Love Spells
- “Jet Black” by Anderson .Paak ft. Brandy
- “Sunday” by Earl Sweatshirt ft. Frank Ocean
Based upon my own listening activity, opinions and curation abilities, this is certainly not the end all, be all judgment of major vibes. With over 90 undergraduate majors — not even getting into minors — spread across three colleges, UCSB offers so much more than I could ever assign to a series of songs.
But please allow me to steer you in the direction of the major you’re destined for, or at the very least let me put you onto some heat.