A senior’s guide to nostalgia: The Panther’s spring playlist

Illustration by Zoe Arntsen, Illustrator

The spring semester serves up sunshine, new courses and longer days, but for many students each year, it also conjures fear and anxiety toward the dreaded “g” word. Graduation comes with a spectrum of emotions, to which each person reacts — or in my case, tries to cope with — differently. 

Graduating from college is a milestone achievement to be proud of. After years of hard work and dedication, we stand at the threshold of an entirely new and exciting chapter of our lives. However, it also forces us to face a reality that many of us have been trying so hard to avoid: nothing will ever be quite like this again. 

It’s a somewhat pessimistic perspective, but, ultimately, it’s the truth. When else will all of our closest friends live within a five-minute drive? How will we see everyone we’ve ever met if not in the Attallah Piazza between classes? Will Thursday nights ever be the same?

In the midst of all of these anxieties, there is one ultimate sentiment so many of us are lucky to share: an overwhelming love for this place, or at least this time in our lives. Since the start of spring classes, and maybe even earlier, seniors have been experimenting with different coping strategies for the limited months we have left; skipping class to soak up the sunshine, sitting on the Starbucks patio avoiding homework or shedding the occasional tear on a particularly warm day under the palm trees. 

Many of us have also turned to a more universal language: music. Music is strongly embedded in some of our favorite memories, especially during the last four years of college, and it’s only fitting to continue that trend through May. 

The Panther presents our spring playlist: “A Senior’s Guide to Nostalgia.” The following are the first 15 songs of the collection, paired with a brief summary and lyric that most resonates as we transition into this next phase of life. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past four years, it’s that the time will pass anyways —- what are we to do but dance?

A Senior’s Guide to Nostalgia

“All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem

An ode to the friends you hold dear after a formative four years, and all the ones you met along the way.

Lyric: “You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan/ And the next five years trying to be with your friends again”

“This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads

For everyone and everywhere you’ve found a home away from home.

Lyric: “Home is where I want to be/ But I guess I’m already there”

“When You Were Young” by The Killers

Because we will never be this young again!

Lyric: “And sometimes you close your eyes and see the place where you used to live/ When you were young”

“Float On” by Modest Mouse

A simple sentiment as we look toward an uncertain future — sometimes life’s okay!

Lyric: “Don’t worry, even if things end up a bit too heavy, we’ll all float on”

“Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp

For days when it’s particularly hard to imagine leaving this all behind; alternately, for days you’re finally feeling at peace with it.

Lyric: “I’ll never look behind me/ My troubles will be few”

“Younger Days” by Mt. Joy

For all of us who got lucky enough to spend time on the California coastline.

Lyric: “I always wanted to be free/ In the simple way/ I found in all those younger days”

“You Get What You Give” by New Radicals

The millennial optimism we all need.

Lyric: “This whole damn world can fall apart/ You’ll be okay, follow your heart”

“Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie

Because this is, indeed, our last dance.

Lyric: “This is our last dance”

“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day

A song that’s been banned in my college house all year… and for good reason.

Lyric: “For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while”

“Stop This Train” by John Mayer

The ultimate I-hate-growing-up anthem (but make it soft rock).

Lyric: “So scared of getting older/ I’m only good at being young”

“Whateverrr” by Spacey Jane

A familiar sentiment for those of us looking back on who we were when we started, how far we’ve come and how much we continue to be shaped by these years.

“I always surrendered, 18 where was my head?/ Whatever, I’ll think of you forever”

“Heroes” by David Bowie

For days when having to face the world feels particularly heroic.

Lyric: “Though nothing, will keep us together/ We could steal time, just for one day/ We can be heroes for ever and ever”

“Vines” by Hippo Campus

Reminiscent of carefree nights and days when time seemed endless.

Lyric: “Night time in the basement/ Screaming about our feelings/ Running through the cold air/ Searching for a meaning”

“Dreams” by The Cranberries

For looking back on our youth and ahead to the people we will soon become.

Lyric: “Oh, my life is changing everyday/ In every possible way”

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve

A perfect complement to the bittersweet nature of this time in our lives.

Lyric: “I’m a million different people from one day to the next/ I can’t change my mould”

Like the songs that soundtrack them, these memories will stay with us for years to come. This playlist is just one attempt to capture the mix of emotions from the past four years and welcome us into the ones ahead, and we feel just as grateful to share it with you as we have been to share these years.

As next fall semester ushers in new students, we’ll find our friends scattered across the country and begin lives far beyond the campus we once shared. May we feel lucky to look back on the time we got to spend here, together. 

Congratulations, class of 2026. Now, it’s time to face the music.