Just the other day I was making the seemingly endless hike from Kissam to Blair when I put my iPod on shuffle. Yes, times were desperate. My battery was running low and Spotify refused to connect, so I was listening to music that I had actually purchased off iTunes (talk about a throwback.) A U2 song came on and I suddenly realized that the lyrics were speaking to my very soul. You see, second semester senior year is not easy. Whether or not you know what you’re doing after graduation (guess which category I fall in), it’s a confusing and emotional time. But don’t worry, Bono, The Edge and the two other guys are here to empathize with you. The following playlist is a bunch of U2 songs that are a reflection of the struggles of being a second semester senior. Hopefully, this will help motivate you to power through the next month – or at least entertain you as you procrastinate until the bitter end.
1. Where The Streets Have No Name
The first four lines express how I feel 100% of the time.
I want to run
I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls
That hold me inside
2. Vertigo
Senior year can be disorienting (like the feeling of vertigo) but it’s also one big party.
3. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
The job search in a nutshell. It’s pretty discouraging when the only things that you are qualified for seem to be unpaid internships. U2 encourages you to hold out for someone (i.e. a recruiter) who understands your worth.
4. Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
Can we call the entirety of this semester “a moment?” Because that’s how fast it has flown by. Time to stop stressing about the little things and spend time with people you care about. Also go to more happy hours.
Most senior line: “you’ve got to get yourself together” (pretty much what I tell myself every morning)
5. With Or Without You
Your relationship with classes/professors mid-way through April. It is so close to the end but yet so far. We “give ourselves away” and study all the time even though we’d rather do anything else and it feels like there’s “nothing to win and nothing left to lose.”
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she’s got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
This is how you feel about that one guy/girl that you’ve had like three classes with but never made a move on. I hate to break it to you, but this is your last chance. Just go for it! And if it doesn’t work out, listen to more U2 to drive the pain away.
7. I Will Follow
How it feels when all your friends are moving to different cities and you just want to stay together forever. To my successful employed/PhD candidate/engaged friends: please pack me in your suitcase.
8. Sunday Bloody Sunday
F.I.N.A.L.S.
Whether you’re defending a thesis, taking back-to-back exams or sleeping to avoid your obligations, this is the worst week of your college career. But we Vandy seniors are tough. After seven finals weeks in the past four years, what’s one more?
9. Walk On
The ultimate motivation song. This is the home stretch y’all! You are awesome and Bono won’t let you forget it.
What you got
You can’t deny it
Can’t sell it or buy it
10. Beautiful Day
GRADUATION (or commencement as Vandy insists on calling it.) This is the feeling of walking across that stage, taking your diploma and heading straight for the champagne. You earned it.
Cheers to the class of 2016!
Now listen to the playlist below:
http://https://open.spotify.com/user/kplinek/playlist/24EOSi7NuzjyXnFLZsi3NN