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Writer's pictureSophia Troetel

My (Musical) Guide to Surviving Freshman Year

Updated: Aug 24, 2023

Headphones, ALWAYS


⋆ how was your year? ⋆

  • amazing!!!!

  • pretty good

  • eh

  • UNFATHOMABLE


As I type this up and reflect on my Freshman year at the University of Arizona, I think about all of the songs that helped me survive. From heartache to exam-related stress, my life philosophy remains that I can always find happiness as long as I have two things: sunshine and music. Above pictured is me, the sun, and one of my many Spotify playlists. My tunes get me through tough times, keep me company when I do homework, and boost my mood in general! Music is a huge part of my life -- from the songs I sing in the shower to the songs I blast in my headphones. Freshman year, I was introduced to many new songs and artists, as well as listened to many old classics. These are the songs that helped me through. Bear down, KAMPers! 🐱🐱


DJ Screamer's Playlist #1:

✭✭✭ freshman year

  1. “Labyrinth” by Taylor Swift: After I found out my ex-boyfriend was dating again, I was in a world of hurt. But pain is usually temporary. Good music lasts forever! Midnights really carried my October and November Spotify. P.S. Taylor Swift please break up with Matty Healy. #CRINGE

  2. “Waltz Of The Flowers” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Reminds me of my first semester Russan Literature class and racing the clock to finish papers on time. This is one of my favorite songs, ever. Tchaikovsky = 🐐 -> Argue with the wall

  3. “Dirty Dancing” by BLACKSTARKIDS - After discovering the band BLACKSTARKIDS last fall, I have fallen in love with their album SURF. The second track, “Dirty Dancing” takes me back to feeling lonely after I ended things with a narcissistic, arrogant clown. We all make mistakes. But that's why they invented erasers! ✏️

  4. “About You” by The 1975 - Give the woman who sang the bridge her own indie album. Her part is my fav of the entire song. Cried!! to this song thinking about how delusional I was at the start of the year. Sometimes the people we trust let us down, sometimes we still miss them.

  5. “I Cry While You Sleep” by Pearly Drops - This song was how I found comfort amidst a horrible relationship. I think we should all look for someone to make us shine. Check out their new album, it has so many excellent songs on it!! Shameless plug.

  6. “10:36” by beabadoobee - From my favorite singer-songwriter, beabadoobee. Her recent album explored her versatility and range. Songs like "Ripples" and "Lovesong" sound little like punk songs "Talk" and "10:36." beabadoobee has a song for everyone! Especially, girlies who have been played!!! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️Highly recommend. (P.S. I wrote an article about her if you want to read more...)

  7. “Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs - From my favorite 80s band. Saw them in concert a few weeks ago at the Rialto! First ever concert. 🗸 Coincidentally and unfortunately, the only song they didn’t play.

  8. “Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex - Another song that made me cry when I was ruminating too hard on the past! Would love to see them in concert, but I don't have $200 to drop on tickets. 😿

  9. “Pain” by Four Star Mary - This song reminds me of my favorite show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. BTVS has helped me through so many tough times. In challenging moments I ask myself WWBD?

  10. “obsessed” by thuy - Reminds me of a time when I was naïve about the possibility of romance at the University of Arizona. PRESENCE OF MIND = key

  11. “California Love” by 2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre - No explanation needed? California knows how to party.

  12. “Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers - Reminds me of my roommate, Katya. My favorite roommate/human ever. And of invisible pain! Hurt people hurt people??

  13. “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” by Bizarrap, Shakira - Absolute banger. Shakira slayed. Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan! 💰

  14. “Linger” by The Cranberries - 90s nostalgia. Underrated Cranberries? Reminds me of my family. My sister and dad love this song. The three of us always scream out the lyrics when we hear this song.

  15. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer - Shea, from KAMP student radio made me a playlist of love songs for Valentine’s Day. When I saw this song I geeked. How did she know that “Kiss Me” is one of my favorites?? So rom-com vibes.

  16. “Tek It” by Cafuné - Maybe overplayed and a TikTok favorite, but IDC. Some things are popular because they are good. Ever considered that? How much can I be expected to tolerate??? 🙄

  17. “Petals” by Hole - I Love Hole. While "Celebrity Skin" and Kurt Cobain may be the most common Hole knowledge, "Petals" is brilliant. The intro is gorg, and the melody is stunning!!!!

  18. “Drown” by Strange Boutique - One of the songs I randomly discovered from Spotify recommendations... so good. 90s nostalgia + a killer guitar solo. Hooked??

  19. “Rosas” by La Oreja de Van Gogh - Are you detecting a theme here? Maybe I’m a little heartsick. "Rosas" has that glittery pop feel, while being incredibly sad si hablas español.

  20. "Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects - My favorite song, maybe ever. Makes me feel like the main character in a movie set in the 2000s. John Tucker must die...


Reviewer’s Name: Sophia Troetel

Date of Review: May 24, 2023



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