Next week, I’ll officially be a month into my junior year, and I’m feeling bittersweet about it.
I moved into an apartment for the first time, so that nine-month-long summer camp vibe from my old dorms is officially gone. I’m happy that I finally feel like I know my way around, but college feels more “adult” this year.
Whether you’re moving away from home for the first time or just starting another school year, you might be feeling something similar. There are exciting new experiences on the horizon, but thinking about the future can quickly get overwhelming.
This weekend marked the official beginning of fall, a season all about change. A few weeks ago, I crafted a playlist of cozy songs to help me relax while setting up my new room.
Here are a few of my favorites that are perfect for anyone wanting to get into the fall mood while also trying to adjust to new surroundings.
“Moving Out” by Kacey Musgraves
Ironically, “Moving Out” was the first song I added to my move-in playlist. Musgraves reflects on moving out of her beloved home in this song: “We had good timеs, can’t deny it / And even though I feel еxcited / I’m kinda sad we’re leavin’ / Now that autumn’s movin’ in / And we’re movin’ out.”
It’s a very clean song with simple lyrics and limited production, creating a raw, authentic and relatable feel.
I listened to this song on repeat while unpacking because Musgraves’ lyrics about how bittersweet new beginnings can be were so comforting. If you’re going through any big changes, I’d highly recommend this one.
“All My Love” by Noah Kahan
This summer my hometown friends and I had the realization that this might be the last summer we are all in the same place at the same time for a long time. Nothing brings me more joy than watching all of my friends find their people and their purpose — but I miss them a lot.
“All My Love” captures another one of those bittersweet feelings that come with starting the new school year.
In the chorus, Kahan sings, “I’m the same as I was / It’s all okay, there ain’t a drop of bad blood / It’s all my lovе, you got all my love.” Kahan juxtaposes his longing lyrics with an upbeat acoustic guitar that creates a perfect fall track.
“But I still recall how the leather in your car feels,” a line from the song, is one of my favorite lyrics ever. It reminds me of all the times in high school I sat in the passenger seat while my friends drove around — and that I’ll have those memories no matter where we all end up.
“Call On Me” by Daniel Caesar
“Call On Me” is a more recent song I’ve been listening to. It has a captivating electric guitar line and upbeat drums, combined with soft backing vocals, which create an atmosphere that feels almost like the transition from summer to fall.
“Call On Me” is a song about Caesar finally being with whom he wants to be. He sings about how his lover can call on him for anything they need, but I find the opening line of the song to be very comforting in another context. Caesar sings, “Finally you’re right where you wanna be.”
When things get overwhelming, I like to remind myself that I am right where I want to be. We’re all so lucky to get to adjust to the new school year during Boston fall, one of the prettiest times of the year.
“Cornelia Street” by Taylor Swift
Typically, when I think of fall, I think of Taylor Swift’s albums “evermore” and “Red (Taylor’s Version).” However, when I want to lift my spirits, I turn to “Cornelia Street,” a beautiful love song off of Swift’s album “Lover” that has always reminded me of rainy fall days.
Throughout the song, Swift captures change in an uplifting way, walking listeners through the seasons as a way to reflect on how she and her partner got together. She sings about an apartment she has on Cornelia Street: “Windows flung right open, autumn air / Jacket ’round my shoulders is yours / We bless the rains on Cornelia Street / Memorize the creaks in the floor.”
This song reminds me that while it can be easy to fear the unknown, new chapters mean that so many great possibilities, like love, can be in our future. We just have to wait and see.
I’ll be back with more music next week. Until then, don’t forget — I’m always here to listen.