Once upon a time, the famous Hans Christian Andersen said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” It’s hard to disagree! People all over the world listen to music every day – statistics show that over 700 million people worldwide used music streaming services in 2023. Many of those people are undoubtedly students, as they love to listen to various tunes when they study but also during their leisure time.
Student life is full of intense feelings, heightened emotions, and new experiences. Music is an inseparable part of this period: joy, stress, and many other states, as well as hopes and doubts, can often be embodied with the help of a certain song. You may listen to the same chords repeatedly, the lyrics repeating several times in your head, and the emotional state it generates lingers throughout your day. The five songs below will help you to delve deeper into the feelings student life often brings.
1. “We Are Young” by Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
This banner of the young and the exuberant of life in the here and now is an ideal song for young people in general and students in particular:
“Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun”
These lyrics reference the memorable nights of parties and peer communication that often characterize student life. Many students can relate to this song, which makes it an all-time favorite among young learners.
Even though many student-favored tunes, such as this one, talk about fun and parties, it’s important to remember that students who indulge in them still need to ensure their assignments are completed on time. Otherwise, their academic journey may be cut short. If you need help with your college papers, hire personal statement writers online and set your worries aside. A skilled academic writer can deliver great papers, helping you avoid academic stress.
2. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten unravels itself in bursts of pop optimism. The singer urges her listeners to ‘recapture’ their dreams and break free of past failures and the fear of what’s to come. The song is an anthem of young adults everywhere (aged 18 to 25) – it’s the song you listen to when you’re quitting your job at that big corporation or embarking on your startup.
3. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World
It’s not just about the keggers and bittersweet endings; studenthood is a story of self-discovery and overcoming doubt. With its cheerful, anthemic chorus, The Middle encourages students to do their best and serves as a useful pep talk for any student overwhelmed by scholastic and social expectations.
Speaking of overcoming doubt as a student, here are a few techniques you can try:
| Identify Your Doubts | Pinpoint what makes you uncertain. |
| Stay self-compassionate | Don’t be your worst critic. |
| Celebrate Wins | Acknowledge your progress. |
| Stay Positive | Practice positivity and self-affirmation. |
4. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
Everyone remembers this Green Day hit as the ultimate graduation or going-away song. While it’s tied primarily to nostalgia and the emotions of parting, it also acknowledges and celebrates the bittersweetness of moving on. Inventive lyrics also teach students about the importance of life lessons:
“Time grabs you by the wrist,
directs you where to go
So make the best of this test,
and don’t ask why
It’s not a question,
but a lesson learned in time.”
5. “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots
This song is not very cheerful but rather depictive of the real worries of young adulthood. It evokes a universal student experience. Its lyric, combined with its bouncy, moderately jangly sound, captures the aching melancholy of youth and the universal lament of adulthood – you always feel you aren’t ready for what the world throws at you. Listen to ‘Stressed Out’ when you are overwhelmed and recognize that you’re not alone in your fears and worries.
That said, if you’re stressed out as a student, there are several ways to remedy that. Here are just a few:
- Follow a Routine: Balance your day with scheduled times for study and relaxation.
- Exercise Regularly: Activities like walking or yoga can reduce stress.
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours per night to help your body recover.
- Eat Healthily: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Practice Mindfulness: Short daily sessions can help calm your mind.
- Connect with Others: Maintain social interactions to uplift your spirits.
- Set Realistic Goals: Avoid overloading yourself by setting achievable objectives.
- Seek Help: Use student support services if stress becomes too much.
The Soundtrack of Our Formative Years
Music accompanies each student through their college years into adulthood. From the cheerful themes to the heart-wrenching melodies, songs give voice to the ups and downs of student life. From wild nights out, the pain of leaving friends and families, pressures to perform, to fateful choices, each song is committed to telling youth at a transitional moment that they are not alone in their feelings. We hope that, even with the changes in every student’s life and transition into adulthood, musical gifts can keep marching on with them, giving them hope and respite from daily struggles.
