Dear 2020 graduates,

You're probably counting down the hours until graduation, and you're just waiting for the rest of your life to begin. I completely understand that, but you've also made some valuable memories along the way that you should reflect on. Whether you're looking for a class song or something to put your own photos to, finding the perfect song is of the utmost importance. When it comes to this, you can choose a currently chart-topping hit, but you should also look into classics and throwbacks from your childhood.

1. "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas

"Don't you know
The hardest part is over?
Let it in
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels"

2. "Good Old Days" by Macklemore ft. Kesha

"I wish somebody would have told me, babe.
That someday, these would be the good old days
All the love you won't forget
And all these reckless nights you won't regret.
'Cause someday soon, your whole life's gonna change.
You'll miss the magic of the good old days."

3. "Where Does the Time Go" by Great Big World

"Of all the things we will remember
The good, the bad, and all the blessings in disguise
Today will stick with me forever
Even if we have to say goodbye"

4. "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

"My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold."

5. "Whenever You Remember" by Carrie Underwood

"When you think back on all we've done
I hope you're proud
When you look back and see how far we've come."

6. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day

"For what it's worth, it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life."

7. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson

"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."

8. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

"Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten."

9. "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack

"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'."

10. "Photograph" by Nickelback

"Every memory of walkin' out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was lookin' for.
It's hard to say it
Time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye."

11. "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons

"I don't ever want to let you down.
I don't ever want to leave this town,
'Cause after all
This city never sleeps at night."

12. "7 Years" by Lukas Graham

"I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major.
I got my boys with me, at least those in favor,
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later."

13. "I'll Be There for You (Theme from "Friends")" by The Rembrandts

"I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)."

14. "Seasons of Love" by the cast of "Rent"

"It's time now, to sing out

Though the story never ends.

Let's celebrate, remember a year

In the life of friends."

15. "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins

"You're gonna miss this.
You're gonna want this back.
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times,
So take a good look around.
You may not know it now,
But you're gonna miss this."

16. "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney

"Trust me, friend, a hundred years goes faster than you think.
So don't blink."

17. "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

"First you both go out your way
And the vibe is feeling strong and what's
Small turn to a friendship, a friendship
Turn into a bond and that bond will never
Be broken and the love will never get lost."

18. "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty

"Well I believe it all is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come."

19. "Am I Wrong" by Nico & Vinz

"Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong for saying that I'll choose another way?
I ain't trying to do what everybody else doing
Just cause everybody doing what they all do."

20. "Firework" by Katy Perry

"If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow.

Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed:
So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road."

21. "Paris" by The Chainsmokers

"If we go down, then we go down together
We'll get away with everything
Let's show them we are better."

22. "I'll Always Remember You" by Miley Cyrus

"I always knew this day would come.
We'd be standing one by one
With the future in our hands.
So many dreams, so many plans.

Always knew after all these years
There'd be laughter, there'd be tears.
But never thought I'd walk away
With so much joy but so much pain.
And it's so hard to say goodbye."

23. "Crazy Youngsters" by Ester Dean

"'Cause we got, hey, we got a lot of things to do.
Hey, we got a lot of things to prove.
(Yeah we got) yeah, we got a lot of room to grow.
(Hey) yeah, we got a lot of miles to go."

24. "Flashlight (Sweet Life Remix)" by Hailee Steinfeld

"I got all I need when I got you and I.
I look around me, and see a sweet life.
I'm stuck in the dark, but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night."

25. "We're All In This Together (Graduation Mix)" by the cast of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"

"We're all in this together
Once we know that we are
We're all stars and we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand hand in hand
Make our dreams come true."

Now...

What kind of graduation song list would this be if I didn't include the cheesiest song of them all?

26. "Graduation (Friends Forever)" by Vitamin C

"As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together.
And as our lives change, come whatever
We will still be friends forever."

* * *

As a sophomore, these songs were already starting to get to me as I was making this Spotify playlist. Seniors, just remember to cherish every moment and don't rush your final days too much. The rest of your life will still be there, but you're only in this town with these people for a limited amount of remaining time.

Love and Honor,

Faith