It is crazy to me how a song can take me back and remind me so vividly of a time years ago, making it feel like yesterday.

As my college years are coming to an end, I’m feeling pretty nostalgic. Here is some of the songs that take me back to my freshman, sophomore, junior and (presently) senior years.

Track 1- “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

This song brings me back to start of my freshman year. Whenever I hear it, it still brings back memories of feeling uncomfortable/ scared as I started school at a new place. My dorm room was right across from the bathroom. We had an iHome in there that played music throughout the day, and this song always came on.

Track 2- “Drop In the Ocean” by Ron Pope

I have happier memories with this song, even though it is relatively slow. This reminds me of my second semester freshman year. I was more comfortable and enjoying my time at this new school. My friends and I would play this in my room and we would belt out the lyrics.

Track 3- “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift

When Taylor Swift’s new album came out, we listened to it non-stop. Blank Space was a favorite, but the whole album reminds me of the beginning of sophomore year. One of my roommates and I would continue listening to the songs, never tiring of them, while our other roommate did not share the same enthusiasm as we did. She probably does not have as fond of memories for the 1989 album. Even our RA knew of our obession because she could hear us playing it all the time.

Track 4- “Four Five Seconds” by Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney

Still whenever I hear this song I have such distinct memories of constantly requesting to play this song wherever we went. One of my roommates and I had voices that accompanied the song, hitting the different notes/ echoes in the background. This brings me back to second semester of my sophomore year.

Track 5- “Jordan Belfort” by Wes Walker

Day drinking is a big thing at my school. This song reminds me of the beginning of junior year/ day drinks. We all had our first house and were so excited, sitting out on our porch drinking and hanging out. My roommate’s boyfriend decided to play this song on repeat, at least 9 times in a row until we finally noticed/ were getting sick of it. It was a running joke throughout the year because we all got annoyed with it but also loved it. It was a love/hate relationship.

Track 6- Justin Bieber’s entire Purpose album

The excitement we all had for this album coming out our junior year was immense. We were not disappointed. Pre-games, hangouts, etc. always had this music featured.

Track 7- “My House” by Flo Rida

This is another one that takes me back to junior year. I just remember playing it often.

Track 8- “Can’t Stop the Feeling”- Justin Timberlake

This song will forever remind me of our trip to Daytona last May (right after our junior year). I played it non-stop until I memorized the lyrics. On the plane ride home I was so obsessed with it that it was the only song I listened to.

Track 9- “Closer” by Chainsmokers

No matter how many times this song plays, I will never get sick of it. This brings me back to the start of senior year, when we were so excited to be back together.

Track 10- “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Grobin

After we would go to the bars, we would end up “late nighting” at out guy friends’ house. This song was a crowd favorite, always resulting in us dancing on the tables while belting out the lyrics. Senior year would not have been complete without this song.

Track 11- “Sleep Without You”- Brett Young

We (sometimes) switch up the genres, so this is our senior year country favorite. This reminds me of all five of us roommates sitting around our kitchen table, talking and spending time together.

Bonus Track- “Shots (Boiler Remix)” by Imagine Dragons

This song, without a doubt, will forever remind me of my college experience. It is the last song we would play before leaving the house for the night. We have a choreographed dance that we make everyone participate in. It brings me back to family weekend, specifically, when we had 30+ people doing the dance. All parents and family members had to join. No one was exempt.

The thing about music, for me, and these songs especially, is they bring me back to all the times and experiences we had while listening to them. I remember the people I was with, the dorms or houses I was in and the funny memories that took place during our times together. While college is coming to and end, I am forever grateful for the wonderful memories I have and people I met along the way.