The past four years have been a whirlwind – the one underlying thing that got me through good times and bad was music. Whether I was blasting Phoebe Bridgers in my headphones to get me through a dull day or heading across the bay to see my favorite artists perform live in concert, there were sweet, sometimes bitter, melodies keeping me going.
Freshman Year
Fall 2019
“Home” by Cavetown
During my first semester, I was still trying to make Berkeley feel like home. I would listen to this song often and I even went to a Cavetown concert with a friend who lived across the hall from me! I also bought a kazoo at this concert, which has become an important memento of my college experience as I have played it at multiple music-related club events!
“Scrawny” by Wallows
This song exudes cool, laid back energy. It was my first semester of COLLEGE, how much cooler can it get? When I needed a boost, perhaps a reminder of how proud I should be to be at Berkeley, this song would do the job. It also has a special meaning to me, as it was used as a hint for me to find out who my big was in my sorority.
Spring 2020
“Blind” by Role Model
Spring of my freshman year was when I really began to settle down and feel confident in myself and in the friendships I had formed. I was listening to this song non-stop, but it turns out I was also “blind” to the surprise that was to come later this semester: being sent home for the remainder of the semester without having the chance to say real goodbyes.
“The Birthday Party” by The 1975
The 1975 has been my favorite band since high school, as they still are to this day. This song came out in February of 2020 and I was so excited, as this song made me feel like I was entering a peaceful simulation. I could listen to it and lay on Memorial Glade as I watched the clouds go by, and once I was doing classes from home I would listen to it and pretend that’s where I was.
Sophomore Year
Fall 2020
“Up All Night” by One Direction
A lot of late nights working on my landscape architecture assignments from my apartment. This semester might have been the only time I ever pulled a real all nighter. It was painful but I got to the point where I got excited staying up to do homework while watching the clock change. Plus there is never a bad time to listen to One Direction!
“Garden Song” by Phoebe Bridgers
I was listening to a lot of Phoebe Bridgers at this time, as it was the perfect late night music to accompany the aforementioned busy evenings. When I listen to this song in particular, I am reminded of sitting on my bed doing homework, falling asleep, and waking up and doing more classes while still in bed.
Spring 2021
“Want you Around” by Omar Apollo ft. Ruel
Not only was I listening to this song – and the entirety of Omar Apollo’s discography – nonstop, but I was also feeling like I wanted, well, anyone around. Let’s be real – my housemates and I were starting to go a little stir crazy having spent the last year cooped up together and we were eager to be around our other friends!
“Body and Mind” by Girl in Red
As soon as I listened to this album, I was blown away and knew I’d be playing it on loop for a while… and I did. I was pretty upset at love, or the lack thereof, at the time and this song represented that anger and confusion pretty well.
Junior Year
Fall 2021
“Your Life, Your Time” by Christian Leave
We were finally back in person and I was ready to make the most of it! This was my time! This song is great to listen to while walking around campus with a smile on your face, hoping it’ll rub off onto those around you.
“Rollercoaster” by Bleachers
Junior year truly was a rollercoaster – it took some extra work to get to the highs, but boy were they high, and the lows came quickly and suddenly. I was in major leadership roles for 2 clubs, which was extremely rewarding yet ridiculously exhausting. Good thing I discovered Red Bull this semester!
Spring 2022
“10x Stronger” by Dominic Fike
Now that the fall was over, one of those major leadership roles had concluded. Balancing all my priorities was a huge challenge and the previous semester was one of my toughest, but I came into the Spring semester, you guessed it, 10x Stronger. This song is mostly instrumental but it definitely uplifts me and acts as a reminder to rise up to the challenges I faced.
“Brighter than the Sun” by Colbie Caillat
Whenever I woke up feeling a bit down, I would put on Colbie Caillat and be inspired by her happy songs and make the choice to keep my head up on a day that may otherwise break me down. My older sister makes fun of me for being a fan after she has pretty much stopped making music, but her songs are truly timeless.
Senior Year
Fall 2022
“Guys” by The 1975
This is an absolutely beautiful love song about friendship. Friendships change over time, and during this semester I tended to reflect on how my relationships with friends from various ends of campus definitely had. It’s not good nor bad, but just something natural about the ebbs and flows of college life. I miss spending more time with some, while I’m glad I have strengthened my relationship with others.
“Revvin’ my CJ7” by Summer Salt
I have always loved this song and the joy it exudes, so my list would not be complete without it. I went into the beginning of senior year ready to take on the world and anything it threw at me. I wanted to be able to find the beauty in even the smallest things, and this song is always playing on my best days.
Spring 2023
“Happy Now” by Kali Uchis
It’s my last semester of undergrad, why should I be anything but happy?! I know this is supposed to be a take-me-back song, but the quick beat and positive nature make me smile. Plus I’ve almost been listening to strictly Kali Uchis and boygenius since their albums came out, so I have to give her the credit she deserves for her musical contribution to my final semester.
“Good Riddance” by Green Day
This song was played after seniors gave their speeches on the last night of the summer camp I went to and I would sob every year. It’s how I knew change was approaching. Although I will be continuing my education with a Master of City Planning, potentially even staying at Cal to complete it, change is definitely coming.
If you were to listen to this as a playlist, I’m not sure it would make much sense, but that’s okay. The difference between a playlist and a soundtrack is that the former typically accompanies an already existing mood but the latter takes you through a range of emotions and truly tells a story, and this soundtrack is the story of my time at Cal.