Word on the street: Students recommend songs for the first day of class

There’s nothing quite like finding the perfect song to kick off your day — or your semester — and The Daily Tar Heel is here to help.

Lifestyle staff writer Will Kleinschmidt asked students what songs they would recommend for a first day of class playlist.

1. “Smooth” by Santana (feat. Rob Thomas)

Jane Antonas, senior philosophy and environmental studies major

“I think it’s a confidence booster. Like, you hear that song and you’re just like, ‘I’m awesome and everything’s awesome and, yeah, I am smooth.’”

2. "RUBICON" by Peso Pluma

Giselle Milian, senior global studies and biology major

“The beginning of it has a nice guitar and it’s setting the scene of, you know, ready to start the day.”

3. "Life is Good” by Future (feat. Drake)

Bella Lytle, first-year biology major 

“It’s upbeat and it pumps you up for the first week of class, for sure.”

4. “Brazil” by Declan McKenna

Sajan Patel, senior neuroscience and computer science major

“It reminds me of my home in Chapel Hill and eating breakfast with my housemates.”

5. “Smile” by Big Ale

Sara Vardabasso, senior biology major

“I think it’s just good vibes. We want to start the semester with this vibe.”

6. "Where Them Girls At" by Megan Thee Stallion

Payton Belvin, graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy

“It makes me want to get up rather than sit down and stay in bed.”

7. “Let It Burn” by Belaganas

Dorian Varney, junior mathematics major

“The bassline in it just is so electric and it makes me feel so hype and it just awakens something in me, and it makes me feel like I can take on the world.”

8. “Yes” by LMFAO

Courtney Castillo, junior sociology major

“It’s my favorite song and it really just hypes me up for the day. LMFAO is a great choice if you ever just need to get out of that insecure state that you’re in and just kind of forget, the beat and lyrics can really resonate with you.”

9. “Blue Heaven” by Bandits on the Run

Lucy Smithwick, class of 2024 graduate

“It’s really upbeat. It’s very folksy, cute, good melody and also just easy to sing along with, fun to listen to. Overall just a good, good song.”

10. “My Favourite Game” by The Cardigans

Zuhaa Asrar, senior nutrition major

“It’s just fun and it’s fast paced, I feel like, and if you’re walking to and from class, it’s a fun, upbeat thing to listen to.”

11. “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters” by MGMT

Avantika Pandita, senior biomedical engineering major

“I think it has some really good guitar if you’re into electric guitar, if you’re into that. Also, if you like MGMT, I think it’s one of their better songs.”

12. “Time is the Enemy” by Alex Upton

Robyn Ardern, senior music and human development and family science major

“Listening to it makes me feel like I’m sitting down to be told a really cool story — like an epic story.”

Alex Upton graduated from UNC in 2023. “Time is the Enemy” also features instrumentation by two UNC Department of Music faculty members: Rahsaan Barber on the tenor saxophone and Dan Davis on the drums.

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com