College lessons are always important, and there are so many to learn. These lessons are vital to surviving college, especially when they are being taught by 2000 Hit Pop Songs.

1. Irreplaceable– Beyoncé 2006

“In the closet that’s my stuff, yeah if I bought it please don’t touch”

Communal living! YAY! For some people, college is the first time they will ever share a room with someone. FAIR WARNING they will take your stuff unless you designate it.

2. Complicated–Avril Lavine-2002

“But you’ve become somebody else, ’round everyone else, you’re watching your back like, you can’t relax, you’re tryin’ to be cool, but you look like a fool to me”

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING. The first few months of school everyone is trying to find himself or herself. Do not- I repeat -DO NOT expect your older friends to act totally normal if you visit them. A lot of people change when they go to college and those first few months are awkward and sometimes brutal. Your friends are trying to find the happy medium of who they were/who they now want to be. If you see them and they’re trying to impress their new friend and you don’t like how they’re doing it, don’t take any of it personally. Don’t get mad, just understand that this is who they want to be to their new friends, meet them half way too.

3. You’re Beautiful– James Blunt 2003

“Yes, she caught my eye, as we walked on by, she could see from my face that I was, flying high, and I don’t think that I’ll see her again, but we shared a moment that will last ’til the end.”

There are going to be times in our lives on campus where we are going to walk past the most beautiful specimen we have ever laid eyes on. Introduce yourself or you’ll never see them again. College is about meeting new people make it so you CAN see them again.

4. It Wasn’t Me– Shaggy 2000

“I should tell her that I’m sorry, for the pain that I’ve caused, you may think that you’re a player, but you’re completely lost.”

Shout out to the sad and sorry fact that if you DO stay with your significant other while going into college…some people cheat. This song teaches DENY DENY DENY. Now, we all know this song but how many actually know what is being said when Shaggy doesn’t have the mic? Have a good listen; he certainly teaches you how to be the crazy girlfriend. On the other hand, the verse above also shows if you’re not loyal, look who ends up unhappy in the end? YOU.

5. Chasing Pavements-Adele 2008

“Should I give up, or should I just keep chasing pavements? Even if, it leads nowhere, or would it be a waste? Even if I knew my place should I leave it there? Should I give up, or should I just keep on chasing pavements?”

Some may be wondering how this song relates to life in college. Well… have you ever been doing homework for so long that you feel like you’re going absolutely nowhere and getting nothing done? Ever feel like you should just quit trying and that it’s a hopeless cause anyways? Or what about this, you’re studying for a test you KNOW is going to get the better of you, and the more you study the more you realize you’re screwed and the more stressed you get leading you to the inevitable giving up. If you’re sitting there and you are avoiding homework while reading this, or next time that this scenario feels like it is literally describing you, play this song and Adele will make you feel less alone.

6. We Belong Together– Mariah Carey 2005

“Who else am I gon’ lean on when times get rough, who’s gonna talk to me on the phone till the sun comes up, who’s gonna take your place, there ain’t nobody better, Oh baby baby, we belong together”

Yet another one of the college lessons that speaks true to so many. Literally could have pulled out any verse from this song. “We broke up because college was coming” or “We want the college experience” The ENTIRE SONG of “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey can represent all high school sweethearts being separated for the first few months at school. To top off the heart breaking endeavor, we all do the casual “let’s get coffee” when we are home for Thanksgiving. Brilliant. Lost without the first real love that was there through everything.

7. I Kissed a Girl– Katy Perry 2008

“I kissed a girl and I liked it I liked it, No I don’t even know your name, It doesn’t matter, You’re my experimental game, Just human nature”

They weren’t kidding. College is the time to experiment and find yourself. Double check on your sexuality, see if you want to try something new. Better now than years down the road when people aren’t in the same place in life that you are.

8. Soak Up The Sun– Sheryl Crow 2002

“Don’t have no master suite, But I’m still the king of me, You have a fancy ride, but baby I’m the one who has the key”

Life doesn’t have to be so serious. One of the very important college lessons is that money isn’t everything and every one has to lighten up. Don’t take these next four years too seriously, take advantage of the opportunities that college gives you and roam free. Just make the best of everything and remember you are in charge of your own happiness.

9. Where is the Love– Black Eyed Peas 2003

“But if you only have love for your own race, Then you only leave space to discriminate, And to discriminate only generates hate, And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah”

Here is a song that not only applies to college but to life as a whole. Demonstrate the basics of love and peace and the rest of the world will do the same. As you move along in life and expand from out home bases we will run into people of all different kinds, welcome them with open arms and don’t discriminate.

10. Breakaway-Kelly Clarkson-2004

“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”

This is single handedly the most important of college lessons and song to listen to in this article. College is about finding yourself and breaking out of old patterns. Don’t be afraid to set goals, follow dreams, and experience new things. So many people go to college now a days, how do you want to be able to describe your college experience to your kids in ten, fifteen years? Make the best of every situation, make friends, and make memories. Kelly Clarkson is telling you to spread your wings, learn to fly, and break away… now you do that, you go glen coco.

Originally Submitted to Society19 UNH Chapter