We’ve done it. The end of the semester is nigh. Classes are done, and dead days have begun. But, don’t let the brief reprieve fool you; this is the eye of the storm, and the coming hurricane is a lady named Finals Week. But fear not, friends. To get you through the papers, tests, and projects that will round out the end of the semester, I’ve put together a *fire* playlist. For so many of us, music is there in times of need; so, in this time of oncoming stress, here are my favorite songs to keep up the energy and motivation, stave off tears, and remind us all just how capable we are. Happy finals, and may the Force be with us all.

1. We Own It by 2Chainz: This is such a pump-up song. If you want to feel like Vin Diesel in Fast and Furious (which this song is in), then listen to this. It’ll put you in the perfect mindset to kick some finals ass.
2. Confident by Demi Lovato: Feeling unsure about your studying, or doubting that essay you’ve been writing? Listen to Demi’s anthem and then walk back into your work feeling like one confident motherf***er.
3. GDFR by Flo Rida: Studying will be Going Down For Real if you listen to this song. Let Flo Rida’s jams get you going; this song is great for a dancing study break, to get the adrenaline flowing when you go back to work.
4. My Type by Saint Motel: Fall in love with your work. If you start feeling like your Shakespeare or English paper is Just Your Type, or that you and organic chemistry are a match made in heaven, it will make the finals experience that much sweeter.
5. Down in the Dumps by Walk the Moon: Feeling Down in the Dumps? Let this peppy jam by Walk the Moon keep you from getting down on yourself. We all hit a wall at some point during finals, so listen to this to get out of the studying rut.
6. Dead and Gone by T.I.: Wishing finals would be Dead and Gone already? Listen to this hit 2007 song by T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake to motivate yourself to be the death of your finals, instead of letting your finals be the death of you.
7. Then the Morning Comes by Smash Mouth: This is on here as a reminder that Then the Morning Comes. No matter how stressful finals are for you, the morning will come again. You will get a chance to sleep, and there is a light at the end of the studying tunnel.
8. Disco Inferno by 50 Cent: This song is just fun. Turn it up loud, push the books and computers aside, and dance all the stress away. If finals don’t go well, this will have been good practice for your future career as a stripper.
9. Back in Black by AC/DC: This song will make you feel like Tony Stark working on his Iron Man suit as you finish up finals. Listen to it while working up the motivation to study, or while walking into your test; either way, the motivation is strong with this one.
10. Hello by Adele: Let’s be honest; at some point during finals, you will probably cry. So let’s accept this as the reality that it is, and cry it all out to Adele’s almost-five-minute-long ballad, letting out all the feels so you can get back to work.
11. Closing Time by Semisonic: You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. This one makes the list as a reminder that things, good or bad, will come to an end. So find out who you want to take you home, and prepare for Closing Time, because after finals comes sweet, sweet freedom.
12. Cake By The Ocean by DNCE: To be honest, I love this song, but have no idea what it’s about. Are they really eating cake by the ocean? Is it a euphemism for something? No idea. But, this song is fun and has a peppy beat. Listen to it to wake yourself up and keep rocking.
13. Break A Sweat by Becky G: Becky G reminds us all not to get tired yet. Finals week is a marathon, not a sprint, friends. Pace yourself, but rage away on prepping for those tests, writing those papers, and finishing those projects.
14. Time Machine by Ingrid Michaelson: If you had a Time machine would you go back to start studying for finals earlier? Don’t fret. Sit back and relax for a few minutes, and let Ingrid Michaelson take you on a journey while you give your brain a break.
15. Street Fight by Smallpools: Finals is a fight, no matter which way you slice it. Let the peppy tune of Smallpools’ Street Fight rev you up to step in the ring and go mano y mano with the last few assignments of the semester.
16. Losing Sleep by John Newman: Finals can be an exhausting time, largely because so much time is spent working that there is little or no time for sleep. Although this jam sounds like it would put you to sleep, its heavy bass does just the opposite.
17. Dirty Work by Austin Mahone: Finals can definitely feel like Dirty Work, so let Austin Mahone’s motivational medley keep you going. As Austin says, someone’s gotta do it, so crack open those books and let your finals know who’s boss.
18. The Long Run by The Eagles: Who is gonna make it? We’ll find out, in the long run. This Eagle’s song is energetic yet relaxing, and reminds us that at the end of the day, results can only be seen in the long run. If you want to be the one who makes it, you’d better stop procrastinating and get back to work!

I hope that this playlist will help you stay motivated, and be there for you in times of stress and study-break alike. Remember that winter break is just around the corner, and your bed will be ready and waiting for you. Happy listening, and good luck!