The soundtrack to my university experience

Three writers retell their shortened academic year through the songs that shaped their two terms.

Image: WikiMedia Commons

Image: WikiMedia Commons

Sanna Ehsan:

'Happiness Over Everything' Jhene Aiko ft Miguel and Future



To be completely honest, before even starting my second year of university I was nervous it would be
very different and more isolating than first year.

The bubble of the University of Warwick had now gotten even bigger and I began to realise that the 20-minute walk
around campus to see some friends was something I took for granted - walks became bus and train journeys across Coventry and Leamington Spa.

At first I was worried that the amount of friends I’d made in my first year would diminish over time but I soon learnt that the quality of time I did spend with my old and new friends, regardless of how often, was better. An extra effort was made and so I felt happiness over all of
my worries.

A show poster for Kellar

Image: Sanna Ehsan

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Image: Sanna Ehsan

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Image: Sanna Ehsan

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Image: Sanna Ehsan

'Natural Disaster' NS


A successful second year cannot be achieved without messy nights out. I can happily confirm that I have ticked that off the list: it is only inevitable when Neon
and Smack are in walking distance and your stomach has been built up from first year POP!

Walking up the parade with no jacket because I refuse to pay for the cloakroom, carrying friends / being carried back by friends after one too many drinks
and the bi-weekly brunch to repent for any chaotic choices on a night out have become routine and I would not change them for the world.

'Bigger Than Me' Big Sean


Second year placed me in a limbo of emotions in regards to my future. The end of my university experience began to manifest in my mind, and I felt somewhat lost.

I had spent every moment striving towards getting into university and now that I’m here - what now? I chose this song because I began to realise that this was all indeed was Bigger Than Me and that I needed to make a conscious effort to strive towards my goals and also not lose sight of them.

'XS' Rina Sawayama


The last song I chose to reflect the last moments of my second year would definitely be ‘XS’ by Rina Sawayama because as she says, "Give me just a little bit
more" and by that, I mean give me a bit more of my second year!

I cannot help but feel sad when thinking about my memories of seeing everyone because I did not
know those moments would likely be my last. I know I can always see my friends but those who were in their final year or going on their year abroad, I will not see at uni ever again. I suppose that is just part of growing up.

Who would have thought a world-wide pandemic would be what stops me from seeing my friends – just my luck! Despite this, it is just another obstacle on the way.

A photo of Kellar
A photo of Kellar

Nishat Uddin:

'Wedding Day' SAINt JHN


I discovered this artist in my first year and he released a new album in the beginning of my third year and I fell in love once again. It felt kind of cyclical that I would find him again in my final year.

I introduced him to people on a society I was a part of and we organised to go see him together, playing him at stalls and events and this song in particular was my favourite. Sadly, his London show was cancelled – kind of typical of the disappointment of this final year cut
short.

A show poster for Kellar

Image: Nishat Uddin

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Image: Nishat Uddin

'Loverboy' Joesef

I played this every morning when I got the bus back in the evenings past sunset. I don’t know why this song just fit so perfectly the days I would be on the top deck of the bus, looking out of the window pondering on small but significant experiences.

It also reminds me of the countless late evenings I spent on campus this year – typical for a third-year slugging away. The lyrics are also weirdly poignant to me: “I’m pretending I’ve got this under control”, yes, that's me. But also true is that “every little thing is going to be alright”.

'Somewhere' The Blaze ft. Octavian


This is another movie soundtrack type of song (funny how we can categorise the songs like this to fit into our lives). I think the reason this song seems to be a year-defining tune is because it’s quite hard to fit it into a category of a happy upbeat song or a melancholic one.


Everyone I ask seems to point to different feelings and experiences and can’t quite put their
finger on the exact message of the song. The chorus sings “where are you going? I don’t know where” – funnily enough it seems to symbolise this final year of university for me in that way.

A photo of Kellar
A show poster for Kellar

Image: Nishat Uddin

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Image: Nishat Uddin

'Loverboy' Joesef

I played this every morning I got the bus back in the evenings past sunset. I don’t know why this song just fit so perfectly the days I would be on the top deck of the bus, looking out of the window pondering on small but significant experiences.

It also reminds me of the countless late evenings I spent on campus this year – typical for a third-year slugging away. The lyrics are also weirdly poignant to me: “I’m pretending I’ve got this under control”, yes me. But also true is that “every little thing is going to be alright”.

Cerys Turner:

'Moving To New York' The Wombats

Going to university was something I had waited so long to do, but when the time came to actually go, I was understandably a little nervous.

Naturally, I resorted back to home comforts - I’d listened to The Wombats for a while, and even though my tiny, dark room in Coventry wasn’t quite on par with New York, the excitement and optimism of this song was vital when I was trying to muster up the motivation to pack my life into my parent's car, chat to my roommates and battle with Circuit Laundry.

A poster of Thurston. World's famous magician and wonder show of the earth
A show poster for Thurston the Great Magician

Image: Cerys Turner

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Image: Cerys Turner

A show poster for Thurston the Great Magician

Image: Cerys Turner

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Image: Cerys Turner

'In My Mind' - The Amazons


Once the initial thrill of fresher’s week was over, and deadlines and dreaded responsibilities that come with living away from home began to spring up, I realised that university wasn’t going to be the idyllic fantasy I had hoped for.

Winter had also arrived, and after reviewing The Amazons for The Boar in November, this song perfectly matched the moody, angsty vibe of those darkening days - late nights at the library or the dreaded walk to Cannon Park.

'I’ve Seen Footage' Death Grips


My second term was definitely a step up from my first - in both good and bad ways. While some acquaintances flittered out, many were solidified as real friends; clubs, bars and cafes that initially felt foreign soon began to feel like they belonged to me too; confidence became action and I finally felt like I was getting my footing at university.

This, of course, wasn’t without its slip-ups, but my eventful second term certainly felt like it was the catalyst behind my growth as a person.

'Faith' George Michael


After an amazing five months and the ending of a dreary winter, I was really motivated moving into the second part of my final term.

I helped with SU elections, my friends had got the exec positions they wanted and so had I! I had a trip away to Budapest and a concert to look forward to in the Easter break and - oh.

Although my plans had been cut short, I had done so much in my truncated first year - I’d met some great people, done things I’d never done before, and while I hadn’t envisioned my break away from university to be quite so long, I certainly needed the rest.

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Image: Cerys Turner

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Image: Cerys Turner