The second week of class is here! Now that we are through going over syllabi and icebreakers, it is time to get to work. Here are some songs to fuel your aspirational academic comeback. Whether you are a freshman with a blank slate or a senior who has lost their drive, these songs will give you some motivation and confidence to start the semester strong.
1. Kanye West: “Stronger”
Perhaps your last semester was really rough and you had to drop some classes or had bad grades. Like Kanye, take those experiences that didn’t kill you to make you stronger. I certainly tried to use my traumatic experiences from general chemistry to help me through organic chemistry.
2. Nelly Furtado: “Maneater”
Cornell will definitely “make you work hard” like Nelly says. Some of the other songs from Furtado’s Loose album are worth a listen for some girlboss studying motivation.
3. Nancy Sinatra: “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”
When listening to this song, I imagine walking to class in my perfect outfit on a glorious sunny day in Ithaca feeling super productive. The visual of strutting in your heeled boots into your next test with self-assurance could help you during exam season.
4. Charli xcx: “Von dutch”
This song exudes the confidence that I need going into this semester. Although many of us are broke college kids right now, remember Charli’s line “I get money, you get mad because the bank shut” and picture your future career during those long hours of studying.
5. Lin-Manuel Miranda: “My Shot”
Like young, scrappy and hungry Alexander Hamilton, we should view Cornell as our shot to succeed and rise to our potential. Hopefully your ambitions do not similarly lead to a tragic death via a duel.
6. Pharrell Williams: “Freedom”
Although freedom is definitely far from sight at this point in the semester, the energy from this song is exactly what I am looking for when I need a boost. You can also replay this song and Pharrell’s song “Happy” when you get your ideal report card at the end of the semester.
7. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: “Challengers: Match Point”
The movie Challengers is full of tension, the desire to win and motivation. Sometimes I wish my classes were as straightforward as a tennis match, although I am sure I would personally do much worse at any racquet sport than a Cornell course.
8. Ariana Grande: “successful”
Our queen Ariana knows all about success at a young age. Don’t let her or any of your other young and ambitious icons down this semester.
9. Taylor Swift: “Look What You Made Me Do”
Sometimes revenge can fuel our delusions. Proving to a professor that you are capable, making an ex feel like they fumbled or outdoing a past version of yourself can be very satisfying.
10. Drake: “Headlines”
“I had someone tell me I fell off, ooh, I needed that” — this line in particular is what got me through Fall 2025 here at Cornell. Your great academic comeback of Fall 2026 is underway.
I hope this article added a few songs to your studying or walking around campus playlist! Let music motivate you this semester as you buckle down and lock in.
You can access the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Emma Robinson is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at erobinson@cornellsun.com.
