It’s that time again and we all know the feeling of starting school after a hot summer. Whether it’s your first round at this thing we call college or your final match, we all need that extra motivation to get started. With Oregon weather, there is no telling what is to come as we head deep into fall. For those looking for something to help keep up the pace, here’s a playlist filled with songs, old and new, that can help you further transition into the new school year.
Travis Scott – “SICKO MODE”
With “SICKO MODE” from Travis Scott’s third album, “Astroworld,” you are getting the greatest gift: three mixes of songs joined together on one five-minute track. Graced with appearances from Drake and Swae Lee, “SICKO MODE” gives you the elements of work ethic that students feel during their first term back to school. First, you get a slow start that parallels the transition period from summer to fall. Then Travis brings it back with a southern, upbeat mix that gets you back into the groove as classes start rolling out. Finally, we are left with an even faster beat that sets the tone as we move past syllabus week.   
OutKast – “Hey Ya!”
When it comes to mood playlists, it would be crazy not to include at least one OutKast song. For this set, we want to feel good, and there’s no better feeling you get than listening to the timeless bop “Hey Ya!” Though it’s an early 2000s single, this song still resonates with the new generation today, and even if they don’t know OutKast, they will remember this song and the feelings it brings. If you are looking for something fast-paced and useful for a morning class preparation or even a pregame on weekend nights, this is the ultimate staple.    
The Carters – “NICE”
Going into this school year, you want that mindset of “I can do anything…” as Beyoncé and Jay-Z would say in this motivational single. Released as the fourth track from their surprise collaborative album “Everything Is Love,” “NICE,” featuring Pharrell, showcases three of music’s most successful acts, while acknowledging all that they have done. It’s often that college students downplay the work they have accomplished. But this song will give them the extra boost to go into new projects, internships and, for some, even new jobs with the confidence that anything is possible.
Bobby Brown – “Every Little Step”
With the hype of the recent biopic for Bobby Brown, there are a few of us still jamming to the old hits resurfaced from the film. “Every Little Step,” from his sophomore album “Don’t Be Cruel,” which sold more than three million copies, is one of the most noticeable. This song has the smooth lyrics of notable writers Babyface and L.A. Reid mixed with an even blend of hip-hop and R&B, giving the listener a chance to sing and dance effortlessly. This song can easily apply to one’s journey through college and getting through the next ten weeks of deadlines, meetings and the change from sunny weather to constant rainstorms.
Tony! Toni! Tone! – “Feels Good”
This ‘90s hit stands true to its title by providing a good-feeling, upbeat record that you can start your morning with. Tony! Toni! Tone! delivers the perfect new jack swing song that makes you want to dance and practically forces you to nod your head along. Listening to the lyrics offers a positive attitude as you enter the new school year and have to constantly remind yourself to stay optimistic. As you walk to your first class of week two, remember, as Tony! Toni! Tone! would say, “It feels good, it sho’ feels good to me.”
Listen to the full playlist here: