Hit Play Now, Thank Me at Uni

At the start, navigating university life—whether you’re in your first year, third year, or doing a master’s—can be summed up in one word: stressful. The solution? A few banging playlists that I’m here to help you curate. I’ve handpicked tracks from seven recent album releases, each aligning with a distinct theme of uni to kick off the year.

As a side note: I couldn’t help myself, so I’ve sprinkled in a couple extra songs that you’ll notice aren’t from the albums featured.

Pres, Pres, and Another Pres

Creating a mood that makes the drinks taste better, the night last longer, and questionable decisions seem consequence-free.

This playlist is all about setting the tone, whether you’re getting ready with friends, playing a game of Ring of Fire or Horse Race, or just enjoying the buzz of good company.

To start, this is a zen song to protect your peace.

Do you know how people say a song reminds them of driving home from the beach at sunset, windows down, breeze in their hair?

This song falls into that dreamy subcategory.

It’s upbeat enough to get everyone feeling good, but still chill enough to ease into the night, making it an ideal backdrop.

I promise that Sabrina Carpenter will get the vibes up.

Essentially, by singing along you’re affirming that you won’t let someone walk all over you and that there will be a dramatic mood swing that is completely deserved if they try to.

At any rate, her music is laced with something that will at least get some shoulder movement going.

Likewise, Smino nails it here.

Not only are the wordplay and references quite clever, but Smino’s delivery also adds a lot of charm to the song.

The essence of it is just to have fun. Watch the music video, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Without question, the rhythmic flow of this track and its sweet message mean that you couldn’t really go wrong.

It is easy for people to connect to this track.

Up until now, I can’t say I was a fan of Addison Rae’s music.

This track, however, is unbelievably catchy, and I’m banking money it’ll be popular with most people.

Please believe me when I say this woman is rebranding herself quite successfully—from a Hype House TikToker to an artist now rubbing shoulders with the likes of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan.

Let’s Go To A Lecture

When getting out of bed feels like a challenge after Sylly Week, this playlist will give you that extra push to make it to the lecture hall.

Let these tracks be your gentle wake-up call, bringing a bit of happy energy to help you face the day.

Markedly, there is a message about embracing good feelings without overthinking which is perfect for getting into the right mindset before a lecture.

As you can tell, there are no lyrics, but it doesn’t even need them. It has a good aura and feels nostalgic and introspective, giving you the space to gather your thoughts before class.

I think the sarcastic tone and guitar make this song a lot of fun to listen to, especially with the story she’s telling about her boyfriend’s ex unexpectedly still being in the picture.

Who doesn’t love a bit of gossip disguised in a song?

Added in, the piano complements the vocals and other instruments, creating a rich, textured sound.

It’s another pick that’s both relaxing yet stimulating, in classic Beabadoobee fashion.

Not only does it have a driving rhythm, but its lyrics fit perfectly with the toxic relationship song pattern I’ve accidentally started.

The melody builds in intensity as more instruments are added, and personally, I think the combination of the lyrics and production makes it a beautifully hypnotic track.

In Love (With a Stranger)

From thinking you’re soulmates after one glance to realizing love is actually… complicated but beautiful too.

I have tried to reflect both the humour and excitement of those first encounters and the tumultuous journey of figuring out what’s real.

And who knows? You might find your university sweetheart at a sports social or sitting next to you in all your lectures.

Overall, this is a sweet, vulnerable, and low-key track. The metaphor of comparing love to sandpaper illustrates how deeply love can affect us.

As a former international student, I understand the challenges of a long-distance relationship while at university.

However, as the song suggests, the promise of eventually returning to each other makes the journey worthwhile.

Bea beautifully encapsulates the hope and love that keep us connected.

Carpenter eloquently details the often difficult search for a decent guy without commitment issues, making it especially fitting for university life, where the good ones seem to disappear quickly!

As I have noted, love doesn’t always unfold how we hope.

In this track, there’s a recurring theme of distinguishing what’s real from what’s merely perceived, which captures the challenges of understanding ourselves and our feelings.

Honestly, remember that things aren’t always what they seem—so keep a level head and trust your instincts.

As soon as I saw Fred again perform this at Reading Festival, I knew I needed it in my life.

Love is definitely a give-and-take situation.

In another universe, this is what Damon and Elena from TVD were dancing to when they visited that university for a Halloween party to feed.

The girls who get it, get it.

Study Juice

For when your coffee’s gone cold or the Red Bull’s lost its kick.

Everyone has their own go-to background noise for coursework and revision, so I’ve put together a variety of options in the hopes that one of them will be the perfect study juice for you.

Not included but also worth trying are video game or movie soundtracks, which can be great for keeping you locked in.

Dreamy synths create a psychedelic and uplifting vibe.

Conversely, this track is very energetic and moves at a faster pace if that is more your speed.

“Take A Bite” brings in a raw, grunge-inspired sound that makes me nod my head along with it.

Let the self-sabotage sentiments stay within the track and not seep into your studies.

Lone has a laid-back sound that feels encouraging, and the addictive beat doesn’t distract you from what you’re doing.

I specifically chose a song without lyrics because sometimes instrumentals are all you need. Understandably, lyrics when reading can be mildly distracting at times.

The mixing on this track is great, and there are so many different layers to it.

Missing Home

For that inevitable wave of homesickness and nostalgia that sneaks up on you.

This playlist is here to offer some comfort when you’re feeling far from home, capturing the bittersweet longing for familiar places and faces.

Remember, things are new for everyone, and even if home is just around the corner, the change can still be tough and that’s completely understandable.

If you’re in the UK, ‘American Nights’ might not resonate with you as much. However, if you don’t mind that tiny discrepancy, the song is still filled with nostalgia and a bittersweet tone.

Combined with a gentle beat, the soft and emotionally poignant lyrics really test the tear ducts.

It also reminds me of university life—of people moving on and appreciating the moments shared with someone heading off to a different city for their studies.

The song’s acoustic, folk-inspired sound and lyrics about the emotional ties to a place like home match with the feeling of homesickness at university, making you wish you could teleport back every now and then.

I wanted to include this track somewhere, and for that reason, I’ve categorized it within this theme, as it relates to the experience of imposter syndrome often felt at university.

The lyrics reflect how, in our fast-paced modern world, one might occasionally feel a sense of disconnection.

Regardless, I genuinely enjoy the song.

Just let things happen—appreciate what you have had and what you will have.

Loving Independence

Embracing the freedom and self-reliance that comes with living on your own, maybe for the first time.

It might be a bit tough at first, but there’s so much to celebrate about making your own decisions—like spontaneously deciding you’ll grab Maccies instead of cooking, or that the laundry will spend a few more days on the floor.

These songs kind of remind me of that, but with more depth.

Rather than being sad, this track has such a wholesome vibe. If you’re graduating this year, make the most of your memories and enjoy every last moment of university.

Shifting to a different vibe, this track elevates the energy, and simply put, it makes me appreciate life and independence. I hope that feeling translates to you as well.

I appreciate how different this song is compared to their earlier works.

Changing your sound because you’re independent and can make more decisions without fear reflects personal growth and the freedom to explore new creative directions, much like the journey of self-discovery at university.

Finally, ‘Beaches’ has a carefree vibe, which isn’t exactly common at university, but it’s a reminder to appreciate what isn’t stressing you out.

The lush guitar riffs only add to that sense of ease.

What do I do Now?

Now that you’ve got these incredible song recommendations, go ahead and create the perfect playlists for university.

Here are the seven amazing albums I selected songs from to help you get started.

I highly recommend checking out all of the albums as a whole when you find the time.

Check out upcoming albums here if you’re curious about what’s dropping next.

Good luck this year!