Essays are due. Exams are piling up. The Leutner Ketchup Vat has an Instagram. 

The first-year class is trying their best.

When I decided to interview my fellow first-years about their first month at Case Western Reserve University, I asked, “If there was a playlist titled ‘First Month at CWRU,’ what song would you put on it and why?” 

I expected songs that represent new beginnings, songs that can get you through your first essay and songs that were bonded over with new friends. The results were unprecedented. Here’s what us freshies had to say.

 I present to you: “First Month at CWRU.”

The playlist opens with:

“The Kids Aren’t Alright” – Fall Out Boy

“I Feel Like I’m Drowning” – Two Feet

“Young Dumb and Broke” – Khalid

“Heat Waves” – Glass Animals

“Oy It’s So Humid” – 2 Live Jews

Those song titles speak for themselves, especially living in dorms with no air conditioning.

Then we segway into:

“Lavender” – KAMAUU

It reminds me of cinnamon, which then reminds me of Cleveland—they’re both great in small doses. 

“Here” – Alessia Cara

The lyric “Oh God, why am I here?” is just college in a nutshell. Additionally, I’m an introvert so if I ever go to a party that will be my reaction.

“Old Friends” – Jasmine Thompson

I miss my old friends, which is only natural. I’m happy to have met new people, but I still miss the people who knew me the best for most of my life.

“Edie, can you put down the Shrek Soundtrack for the memes?”

Yes, I can and I did.

Some are enjoying their time here:

“Green Light” – Lorde

Right now I’m on my own for the first time and I’m having a main character moment. I’m enjoying going out, seeing friends often and the newfound independence. The feeling is fizzling out a little bit, but it’s still there.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen

It’s a good vibe. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t get happy listening to this.

“Canyon Moon” – Harry Styles

This song feels like an adventure and, well, college is definitely an adventure.

And some are already making memories:

“I Know You Want Me” – Pitbull

One day this song played at 7 a.m. in Leutner while my roommate and I were eating breakfast. I didn’t expect it, but I loved it. Pitbull at 7 a.m. is now our favorite inside joke.

“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers

Impromptu dorm dance parties are a must when this song is playing. I have had many.

“Feel Something” – Joshua Bassett

This song reminds me of the night that my friends and I were up late, doing stupid things like climbing trees. It hit me that despite still being teenagers, we were really on our own and could do anything we wanted with the night ahead of us.

First-years, whatever stage of adapting you’re at, you’re not alone. It’s easy to think that everyone has it together, when in reality that’s completely false. As you can see from this playlist, none of us know what we’re doing. But, we can take solace in the fact that we’re in this together, as the big, happy and anxious Class of 2025.