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 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
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, 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!
You may also like…
• Kathlyn’s take on having a social life during the IB
• Bianca’s tips on how to balance your time