Finals are over, and that means it's time to gear up for summer. Summer is full of so many opportunities including: laying out by the pool, going to the beach, traveling the country or world, late-night drives with the windows down, campfires with friends, interning with an awesome company in a new city and finding that summer love.

Summer is a time to start over, to reinvent yourself and to have fun. Summer is a time to experience the new and let go of the past semester. No matter what your summer holds, you need a well crafted playlist of songs to back up your experiences. You need songs to jam late at night in your car and songs about finding love. A well-developed summer playlist should include feel good pop, if you ask me. With that being said, I have come up with my ideal summer 2016 playlist, full of throwback songs and new, fun pop songs. Listen up.

1. Cake by the Ocean- DNCE

Have you heard Joe Jonas has a new band? They're called DNCE and are blowing up entertainment media. I first heard this song during a New Years Eve event. Joe had teal hair and his band rocked the show. If having cake by the ocean doesn't scream summer, then what does?

2. Victorious- Panic! At The Disco

What I like about this song, this album as a whole, is the energy. Victorious is the opening track to Panic!'s new album. It packs so much energy into a three-minute song. I like to drive around during the day blaring this song out of my car. This is a party anthem that's perfect for summer.

3. Ocean Avenue- Yellowcard

If you don't immediately think of California and summer when listening to this song, what are you doing with your life? The song is over ten years old now and still reigns as one of the best summer songs.

4. The Beach- All Time Low

Transitioning into this song fits perfectly. All Time Low are known for crafting well written fun songs. Like Alex Gaskarth sings, "They'll never never never take the summer from me."

5. Best Day of My Life- American Authors

Keep the energy alive with this feel good song. I love this song from the American Authors because its so positive and any day this summer COULD be the best day of your life. Feel good summer songs are my favorite.

6. Thunder- Boys Like Girls

Slow things down with this song. "Thunder" is for the summer loves that you found but didn't last come the end of August. This song is for finding summer love and reliving those memories. Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer.

7. Miles Away- The Maine

Continuing with the more mellow songs, listen to this one from The Maine. Its just another feel good song written about summer and the adventures John had on the West Coast.

8. Confident- Demi Lovato

This playlist wouldn't be complete without a powerful female anthem. What better one to fit the summer theme than "Confident"? Every female should feel confident about themselves no matter what they do this summer. This song packs the energy and encourages listeners.

9. Kiss Me- New Found Glory

Here's another throwback for you. To me, this is another perfect summer love song.

10. She Looks So Perfect- 5 Seconds of Summer

This was THE song of the summer for me in 2014. I loved this song from the MOMENT I heard it. The song is fun, youthful, energetic and still one of the best songs 5SOS will ever release. This was one of the best songs of summer and needs to be brought back.

11. Shut Up and Dance- Walk The Moon

I remember hearing this song for the first time last summer at a Belmont frat party in Nashville. Its one of those memorable songs that you just can't help but love and dance to. Listen to this song at parties and driving around in your car.

12. Punch-Drunk Love- The Summer Set

Bringing back another older song from The Summer Set. This is the perfect upbeat summer party song. Listen to this all night long with your friends. Find summer flings with this song. Enjoy the youthful energy of it.

13. Teenager In Love- Neon Trees

Neon Trees has crafted a perfect pop love song. This is for the teenagers falling in love for the first time this summer or the nostalgia you feel when thinking about your first love.

14. Bad Blood- Taylor Swift

Would any summer playlist be complete without a TSwift song? No, of course not.

15. A.M.- One Direction

Picking which One Direction song to round out this playlist with was incredibly hard. They have so many fun, upbeat songs that are perfect for summer anthems. But, I chose "A.M." because if you listen to the song, it talks about conversations made in the A.M. These are the conversations you have sitting up all night during the summer. These are the moments that define your summer in small but powerful ways. The night has a way of transforming us, especially in the summer. End your playlist with this, it makes all the difference.