I truly did not understand the meaning of bittersweet until I reached the end of my time at Saint Mary’s. For all tri-campus seniors, seeing the fruits of our labor and either going home or traveling to a new place is exciting. At the same time, leaving the close-knit community that you have established and accepting change is unsettling, especially for someone that does not do well with nostalgia. One second, I am filled with impatience to start my next chapter, and the next, I just want to freeze time and hug my friends extra tightly. Therefore, I strung together mini playlists for the stages of graduation seniors might be feeling (and needing!)
The Feels
When we encounter the end of college, it’s overwhelming to close that door and face the change. It feels like a chase of time, and we have disbelief and lots of tears towards leaving it all behind. These songs encapsulate the denial and fear of this change for when you need to relish in the feels.
- “Last Goodbye” by Post Animal
- “Breakdown” by Jack Johnson
- “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve
- “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
- “Clocks” by Coldplay
Nostalgia
You know that feeling in your stomach you get when you hear a song from a time of your life? That feeling is all around in the last couple weeks of school. For the friends who love to chat about their favorite memories and the uneasy feeling of reminiscing, this is for you.
- “As It Was” by Harry Styles
- “Night Changes” by One Direction
- “DtMF” by Bad Bunny
- “See You Again” by Tyler, the Creator
- “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
Acceptance
For the moments where you sit and realize, well, it’s happening. You might want to stop the time, but it keeps going. This is music that helps you take that next step and hesitantly welcome the future ahead.
- “Yes I’m Changing” by Tame Impala
- “You’re On Your Own Kid” by Taylor Swift
- “It Might Be Time” by Tame Impala
- “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
- “I’ll Always Remember You” by Hannah Montana
Gratitude
As that phase of acceptance comes into effect, you transfer the feeling of denial into a grateful embrace. College is not a solitary journey. Thanking family for their support and reflecting on the childhood memories that led you to this moment is important. Also, you feel the appreciation and excitement towards meeting the lifelong friends that held you throughout your path and beyond.
- “Back on you” by Djo
- “28” by Zach Bryan
- “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)” by The 1975
- “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phill Collins
- “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift
Hope
These are songs for when you envision your end goal and all you have been working for — we celebrate graduation for a reason. We hug change with all our might and walk through this next step with confidence. We happily motivate ourselves and feel the liberation of the future ahead.
- “Homecoming” by Kanye West
- “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)” by Kid Cudi
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
- “High School Musical” by High School Musical
- “Alive” by Empire of the Sun
Whether you need a mix of these stages for a group playlist with friends or to dwell in one of them in your room, do what you need to do. The journey ahead might be scary, but gratitude and growth cannot happen if we stay stagnant. Embrace the emotions, freedom and the unknown; it’s what makes this phase of life irreplaceable.
