There’s something about college that feels like living in a movie. The late-night study sessions, spontaneous road trips, and bittersweet goodbyes on Thanksgiving or holiday breaks really heighten the emotions. For every unforgettable moment, there’s a song— or an entire album— that captures the mood perfectly, etching it into your memory forever. 

Whether it’s the Ariana Grande pop anthem that blasted on a Bose speaker in a Holly Pointe dorm room during your first week or the soothing and relatable Billie Eilish you cried to after a rough grade on a quiz, music has a way of weaving itself into the lives of Rowan students, even if it’s subconsciously. 

It’s definitely not a simple question, and to say Rowan’s students struggled a little bit would be a bit of an understatement. Yet, students had robust and diverse answers to this tough question, “What song defines your college experience.” 

College is supposed to be the time of our lives, with parties, clubs, and fun random outings with friends, and junior Sarah Venverloh knows a lot about that when she said the song that defines her college experience was “Live While We’re Young” by iconic boy-band “One Direction.” 

“I just feel like we’re young, and we have so much time to live and do fun things and it really sums it up in the best way,” said Venverloh. 

Some students disagree with Venverloh, finals have rolled around and it’s safe to say that many students are stressed out, or in other words, miserable. Sophomore Luca Voight-Williams summed up his current experience with the 1984 song “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” by English rock band, “The Smiths” 

“I feel like we can all agree, we’re miserable here, it’s finals season,” said Voight-Williams. 

If you’re a freshman at Rowan, the change this semester has been overwhelming, to say the least. Being away from family for the first time, living with sometimes random people, and navigating different relationships with brand-new people. It can be a definite challenge, and some students might turn to a sad, relatable ballad. Freshman music therapy major Mary Barton outlined her Rowan experience with the 2022 single “Chaotic” by Canadian pop star, Tate McRae. 

“It literally explains how I’m feeling right now,” said Barton.

Coming to college is a huge moment of self-discovery, some might try a new fashion style, while others explore new clubs and career options that were never even in their ballpark prior to coming here. Freshman psychology major Elizabeth McMahon is one of them. Defining her experience with the Folk song “New Perspective” by folk artist Noah Kahan. 

“It’s a very motivating song, it’s very college experience-like,” said McMahon. 

For some students here, every day is a new adventure and there is never a dull moment on campus, especially when it comes to freshman computer science major Ricardo Fernandez. Fernandez encapsulated his experience with the song “Someone Else’ By Tory Lanez. 

“That song reminds me of every day here, every day is a party basically. Never a dull moment at Rowan,” Fernandez said.

Overall, music continues to be a universal bond that connects Rowan students to the highs and lows of everyone’s different journeys. Whether it’s the upbeat, carefree vibes of One Direction, the bittersweet melancholy of The Smiths, or the introspective tones of Noah Kahan, each song becomes a part of everybody’s life here at Rowan.

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