Now that summer is here, it means some people are getting their caps and gowns ready. Graduation is just around the corner. It’s such an exciting and eye-opening experience to be able to stand in front of your friends and family on the podium. That’s when it’s not just the diploma but the new adventures that you’re bound to make after.
To make the most of your special day, here’s a fun list of songs that you can play after finishing a round of education. Whether you’re one to reflect or feel pumped, these songs should fit the bill.
“Around the World” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
A very obscure one, but one that’s filled with enthusiasm and flavor. It’s not to say after graduating you’ll travel everywhere (though you might!), but this song has that secret message of freedom and independence you can gain. It’s about understanding who you are and what really resonates with you. There are so many different opportunities for you to explore and sometimes taking that first step is all that it takes.
“All around the world, we could make time, rompin’ and a-stompin’ ’cause I’m in my prime“
“Celebration” – Kool and the Gang
Okay, this one is pretty self-explanatory. You’ve finished years of education and are set forth for a bright future. Why wouldn’t you want to enjoy the moment? Celebration is one of those songs that you play whenever you’ve made this life-changing achievement, but it’s also a great song for reflection. Some people say that college is some of the best years of your life, and even if there may be hardships, there is always some sort of silver lining to help you realize why you wanted to go in the first place. This ’70s banger will get you into the groove for something even more exciting when it comes.
“So bring your good times and your laughter too, we’re gonna have our party with you”
“Mr Blue Sky” – Electric Light Orchestra
This song is purely the definition of upbeat. If you’re a Guardians of the Galaxy fan, you might have a special memory of Groot dancing to this song. In a way, you can’t blame the writers for including that scene! With the radio report at the beginning and the orchestra finale at the end, this song brings so much warmth and enthusiasm. It’s the perfect song to even think about as you walk in your cap and gown. “Mr Blue Sky” is not only about how much the weather changes people and brings them in a better mood, but also about how to make the best of every situation. Fingers crossed for a sunny day!
“Hey there, Mr. Blue, we’re so pleased to be with you”
“Head Over Heels” – Tears for Fears
This is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. When you first look at the phrase “head over heels”, it’s almost automatic to say that it’s about love. But when you look even closer, sometimes we can be “head over heels” in our heads, and it’s not even about romance. Education is a wild journey. People are being pulled in so many different directions, whether it be what career they want to have by the end, the assignments that they have or even the friends that they make. Sometimes you can be so over your head trying to balance it all, and that’s okay. Embracing the madness – the good and the bad – helps to make a realistic and well-rounded experience. Playing this song at the end could be a great way to reflect on what you’ve gone through.
“In my mind’s eye, one little boy, one little man, funny how time flies”
“Don’t Stop” – Fleetwood Mac
After graduation, there is always the question of “what, now?”. “What am I going to do with the future?” “How long is it going to take me to find somewhere that works for me?”. But in reality, nothing comes easy. Everyone has to start somewhere to get to where they need to be. Even this process is confusing, as there are so many benefits of finding your rhythm. Yet we treat this as a bad thing because we haven’t found our niche yet. Fleetwood Mac explains this better in their song. “Don’t Stop” is a way to push forward, no matter what happens. The whole purpose of education is to become the best version of yourself, and this attitude will get you somewhere. So don’t stop believing in yourself. You will get to where you need to be.
“Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow”
“Goodbye” – Spice Girls
Whether in high school or college, there are people you meet who become some of the most important in your life. It feels difficult having to leave them, but in a way, the song is almost contradictory. “It’s not the end”. Goodbye is never final, especially when you really love someone. Holding onto that belief that you will see this person again helps you look for better days ahead. The best part is that you never stop making friends even as an adult. The people in your life will continue to grow to help you embrace these feelings of gratitude.
“Look for the rainbow in every storm”
“How Do I Say Goodbye” – Dean Lewis
This is probably the best one if you’re going through your camera roll of memories. The song title is true. Saying goodbye is difficult, but as in the previous song, the word is never the end. When you leave behind a special part of you, you don’t just take away the knowledge. You take away the lessons you learned, the experiences that made you a stronger person and the things that matter. So what is the answer to the question, “How do I say goodbye?”. Don’t. Say, “I can take what I have now with me”.
“There’s so much to say but there’s so little time”
“So Long, London” – Taylor Swift
You don’t even have to go to London to connect with this one. With Taylor’s popularity over the recent years, this song is almost a given choice. It’s not necessarily about missing a place but more so about what that place meant to you. No matter how you feel at the end, there is always an underlying positive experience. A takeaway for you at the end of education that helps you realize why you’re still standing. There’s also the feeling of hope that “you’ll find someone”, or in this case, somewhere. Not just a physical place but a real sense of meaning, having now finished this journey.
“For so long London, had a good run”
“Graduation (Friends Forever)” – Vitamin C
Now we’re coming to the more obvious ones. As said in the name, this is the best way to leave your school with a smile on your face. The phrase “friends forever” might sound cheesy, but it’s also true. Friends may drift apart but if you really love someone, they can still have an impact on you and your future. Even if you won’t physically be with each other, the sentimental feeling will never go away.
“We will still be friends forever”
“Slipping Through My Fingers” – ABBA
Mamma Mia fans, I apologise. For most people, the first thing that comes to mind is the scene when Donna helps Sophie get ready for her wedding. It’s an insanely touching moment between a mother and her daughter, and beautifully encapsulates the fear of moving on. It could also be about being brave enough to let go of that past self to move on to something else. Something scary but something that reaps so many benefits. Moving isn’t just about forgetting about your past entirely, but using your experiences to brighten your future. Remember those precious moments when you passed a test and the times when you laughed so hard you cried with friends? Because those times will help you become eager to move on to an even better next step.
“Slipping through my fingers all the time, I try to capture every minute, the feeling in it”
So what now?
Whether you’re cheering after getting that graduation job, or in your room wondering about your future, nothing takes away from the fact that you have completed an educational experience of passion and integrity. Life has so many surprises in store and sometimes things don’t always go to plan. But that doesn’t mean that there will never be a reason to keep trying. Now that you’ve finished a long journey, it’s okay to be scared or even eager, embrace it. And for now, pick a playlist and enjoy those last moments as you grasp your diploma.
