Ah yes, it is time. Spring is in the air, you're in your final classes, and you are starting to send out those graduation announcements. You've spent years working hard for this degree, the ticket to success. Soon enough, you'll be walking across that stage, and congratulation, you've graduated! I've compiled a playlist of 15 pre-graduation songs that will get you motivated to work hard and finish strong!
1. "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
This is it; it's time! If you need the right motivation to start your life after college, this is your anthem. Just remember: don't change who you are when things get overwhelming and stressful. Love who you are and go out there and begin your life!
Relatable lyrics: "It's time to begin, isn't it? / I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit / I'm just the same as I was / Now don't you understand / That I'm never changing who I am"
2. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
Daydreaming about breaking away from college life - and starting to actually adult - is perfectly normal since it'll soon be a reality. You worked so hard these past four years, that you rightfully have a longing for something more. You're almost there, be patient!
Relatable lyrics: "I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly / I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky / And I'll make a wish / Take a chance / Make a change / And breakaway"
3. "Tongue Tied" by Grouplove
Grouplove's "Tongue Tied" really has no relation to graduation, however, it gets you pumped for the start of summer. Don't let graduation make you think that the fun's over - make this summer yours!You have the rest of your life to start all the boring, important stuff. Don't forget to have a little fun this summer - you earned it!
Relatable lyrics: "Don't leave me tongue tied / Let's stay up all night / I'll get real high / Slumber party / Pillow fight / My eyes and your eyes / Like Peter Pan up in the sky / My best friend's house tonight / Let's bump the beats till beddy-bye"
4. "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World
If you're stressed over job applications, friend drama, and studying for that Shakespeare class, b-r-e-a-t-h-e. You're almost at that finish line; in fact, you can see it!. Don't sweat the small stuff, because it's almost over. Try your best, and listen to this song when you're feeling overwhelmed!
Relatable lyrics: "It just takes some time / Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride / Everything, everything will be just fine / Everything, everything will be alright"
5. "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
This is the ultimate graduation song. Your college graduation will for sure be one of the best days of your life. You get to walk across that stage with your friends and classmates, receive that pretty little diploma with your name etched on it, and an audience of people praising your accomplishments. Who wouldn't be thrilled about that?!
Relatable lyrics: "I howled at the moon with my friends / And then the sun came crashing in / But all the possibilities / No limits, just epiphanies / I'm never gonna look back, whoa / I'm never gonna give it up, no / Please don't wake me now / This is gonna be the best day of my life"
6. "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen
No playlist is complete without an oldie, and this is one is a goodie. The best thing about graduation is reliving your college glory days with old friends and the former classmates that you run into. I'll drink to that! Thanks, Springsteen!
Relatable lyrics: "In fact I think I'm going down to the well tonight / And I'm gonna drink till I get my fill / And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it / But I probably will / Yeah, just sitting back and trying to recapture / A little of the glory yeah"
7. "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus
Life is all about the climb over obstacles and whatever life really throws at us, and Miley explains it to a T. Whether you mock this song - or rock to it - you have to admit the message is solid.
Relatable lyrics: "There's always going to be another mountain / I'm always gonna want to make it move / Always gonna be an uphill battle / Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose / Ain't about how fast I get there / Ain't about what's waiting on the other side / It's the climb"
8. "Youth" by Troye Sivan
Time goes by so quick, we sometimes rush through our youth in order to officially label ourselves as adults. Time is inevitable, but let's savor the time we have in our youth.
Relatable lyrics: "What if, what if we start to drive? / What if, what if we close our eyes? / What if we're speeding through red lights into paradise? / Cause we've got no time for getting old / Mortal body; timeless souls / Cross your fingers / Here we go"
9. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
Start the next chapter in your life. The rest of your life is still unwritten, waiting for you to write your next chapter!
Relatable lyrics: "Staring at the blank page before you / Open up the dirty window / Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find / Reaching for something in the distance / So close you can almost taste it / Release your inhibitions"
10. "With a Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles
The struggle is real during these last months before graduation. Senioritis is real. Finding any motivation to do anything productive is tough, so follow The Beatle's advice and get some help from your friends!
Relatable lyrics: " Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends / Mm get high with a little help from my friends / Oh, I'm going to try with a little help from my friends"
11. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds
Everyone on this earth has probably seen "The Breakfast Club", and if you haven't, go watch it on Netflix. Post-graduation, keep in touch with your pals. Those are life-long friends.
Relatable lyrics: "Don't you forget about me / As you walk on by, will you call my name? / When you walk away"
12. "We Are The Champions" by Queen
Be prepared to play this once you throw your cap in the air. You will officially be the champion of your future! Keep working hard, and graduation will be here in no time.
Relatable lyric: "We are the champions, my friends / And we'll keep on fighting till the end"
13. "100 Years" by Five for Fighting
This song lays out an entire lifetime, and it is honestly so beautiful. It makes you realize that college graduation is just one part of life and that there are so many other aspects of life to look forward to.
Relatable lyrics: The entire song!
14. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
Believing in yourself is such a necessity in college, especially during crunch time before graduation. Keep pushing yourself, you got this!
Relatable lyrics: "Don't stop believing / Hold on to the feeling"
15. "Graduation (Friends Forever)" by Vitamin C
College graduates: You did it! You made it to the end goal, and you get to celebrate YOU! This song is the epitome of graduation, and every single one of you NEED to listen to this!
Relatable lyrics: "Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down / These memories are playing like a film without sound / And I keep thinking of that night in June / I didn't know much of love / But it came too soon"
