For When Times Get Rough: A Playlist

Here’s how a typical week in the IB goes: Just as your body wants to get some rest, you realize it’s still a Wednesday morning and it isn’t the time to be relaxing. Exams have been piling up all week and on top of that, you still have a ton of assignments to do. In your head, you start to calculate for the optimal sleeping time to finish all the tasks. Is it 8? Is it 5? Alas, it’s 0. At this point, you just want to cry yourself to sleep (or in worst case scenarios, sit in a corner and cry yourself to sleep.) Being a student, especially an IB student, can take a toll on one’s body physically and mentally.

Personally, I have gone through a series of breakdowns during what my class affectionately calls “hell week” — that dreaded week filled with an exams and project deadlines. The one activity that kept me working was listening to one of my mood-boosting playlists. I handcrafted my playlist to include mellow acoustics and upbeat pop. Listening to those kinds of songs, I just can’t help but start grooving to the beat and singing along! I believe something as simple as music can brighten up someone’s day. I know we all have different tastes in music, so listen to whatever seems to give you that sense of energy! If you’re feeling a bit adventurous or just want to try what I call “music therapy,” here’s the playlist I listen to:

For When Times Get Rough by Matthew (Playlist)

I Like Me Better by Lauv 🏙

I like me better when I’m with you

I knew from the first time, I’d stay for a long time ’cause

I like me better when

I like me better when I’m with you

EASE by Troye Sivan (feat. Broods) 🏠

Take me back to the basics and the simple life

Tell me all of the things that make you feel at ease

Your touch, my comfort, and my lullaby

Holdin’ on tight and sleepin’ at night

I Don’t Care by Ed Sheeran (feat. Justin Bieber) 💕

‘Cause I don’t care when I’m with my baby, yeah

All the bad things disappear

And you’re making me feel like maybe I am somebody

I can deal with the bad nights

When I’m with my baby, yeah

Light On by Maggie Rogers💡

Oh, if you keep reaching out

Then I’ll keep coming back

And if you’re gone for good

Then I’m okay with that

If you leave the light on

Then I’ll leave the light on

Us by James Bay 👫

Tell me how to be in this world

Tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt

Tell me how could I believe in something

I believe in us

Drag Me Down by One Direction 🚀

All my life

You stood by me

When no one else was ever behind me

All these lights

They can’t blind me

With your love, nobody can drag me down

Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen 🎸

Tonight, I’m gonna have myself a real good time

I feel alive and the world I’ll turn it inside out, yeah

And floating around in ecstasy

So don’t stop me now don’t stop me

‘Cause I’m having a good time, having a good time

ME! by Taylor Swift (feat. Brendon Urie)

Me-e-e, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

I’m the only one of me

Baby, that’s the fun of me

Eeh-eeh-eeh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Don’t Give Up On Me by Andy Grammer 🏥

I’m not givin’ up

I’m not givin’ up, givin’ up

No, not me

Even when nobody else believes

I’m not goin’ down that easily

So don’t give up on me

Adore You by Harry Styles🐟

Honey

I’d walk through fire for you

Just let me adore you

Oh, honey

I’d walk through fire for you

Just let me adore you

Geronimo by Sheppard 🌊

When I lost it

Yeah you held my hand

But I tossed it

Didn’t understand

You were waiting

As I dove into the waterfall

So say Geronimo!

la la la that’s how it goes by HONNE 🌃

When the cloud’s above your head

And the sun’s not breaking through

You know I’ll be there

To sing this song for you

And it goes

La la la la la la la la

I Lived by OneRepublic 🦌

I, I did it all

I owned every second that this world could give

I saw so many places, the things that I did

Yeah with every broken bone

I swear I lived

17 by Julia Michaels 🌺

So can we stay in this dream like we are 17?

Makin’ love and gettin’ high, oh my, you and me

Where we never get angry or bitter or lonely

Can we stay in this dream like we are 17?

Easily by Bruno Major 🌌

Don’t you tell me that it wasn’t meant to be

Call it quits

Call it destiny

Just because it won’t come easily

Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try

It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by The 1975 🚪

And all I do is sit and think about you

If I knew what you’d do

Collapse my veins wearing beautiful shoes

It’s not living if it’s not with you

still feel. By half alive 🙉

I still feel alive

When it is hopeless, I start to notice

And I still feel alive

Falling forward, back into orbit

Cool by Jonas Brothers ❄️

I’m feeling so cool

Top to the bottom, just cool

Every little thing that I do

I’m feelin’ so cool, yeah

Ophelia by The Lumineers 👩

Oh, Ophelia, you’ve been on my mind girl since the flood

Oh, Ophelia, heaven help a fool who falls in love

Black and White by Niall Horan 🔳

Yeah, I see us in black and white

Crystal clear on a star lit night

In all your gorgeous colors

I promise that I’ll love you for the rest of my life

Woodland by The Paper Kites 🌲

Won’t lay down our heads till the day is won

Won’t stop running till we reach the sun

Chasing all the things that are keeping us young

We won’t stop running till we reach the sun

Remember, don’t let anything pull you down and just keep on going!

If you believe, we believe!

For When Times Get Rough: A Playlist