As NYU’s Class of 2023 adjust their gowns, walk across a stage, and turn their tassels, we’re looking back at the last four years that have somehow gone by in the blink of an eye. And yet, there were so many amazing adventures and memories that took place between first move-in and senior commencement. NYU has given us so many memories that we want to hold onto forever and share with the future generations to come. And what better way to do that than through music?
From NYU’s Class of 2023 to you—a future Violet— we pass the torch and hope you enjoy this Spotify playlist that sums up our time as NYU students.
Take a listen here!
And as a special treat, some of our Ambassadors have shared the inspiration behind their song picks!
Ivan Brea – College of Arts and Science, Politics & Spanish and Portuguese
Song Choice: “Easy” by Troye Sivan
This upbeat and joyous song reminds me of NYU. My time at NYU could best be described as “the epitome of an adventure!” It was an adventure that was filled with “easy” moments to be happy with. From friends to professors, I found a community that made it “easy” to love NYU. Yet, when an adventure is almost over, it’s a bittersweet moment. This song captures the melancholic yet fulfilling experience of wrapping up my time at NYU. I will miss my time here, but I go on to post-grad life with the satisfying feeling of having chosen the best university in the world.
Eshika Patel – Tandon School of Engineering, Business & Technology Management
Song Choice: “Successful” by Ariana Grande
This song reminds me how good it feels to have come so far since enrolling at NYU! It is also a female empowerment and solidarity song, and the vibes really just fit.
Jaden Tactaquin – College of Arts and Science, Public Policy with a minor in Economics
Song Choice: “Sugar” by Remi Wolf
“Sugar” by Remi Wolf reminds of all of the times spent outside of class. The times with my friends going out around Tompkins Square Park and getting the most unhealthy junk food together after a night out. The nights as a first-year when I was seeing all the crazy new food spots and stores that stayed open later than anywhere back home. Really just the feeling of feeling alive and young in a bright new city.
Annabelle Noha – Stern School of Business, Business with Concentrations in Finance and Computing & Data Science
Song Choice: “Home” by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
This song reminds me of coming home. But for me, the definition of home has shifted throughout my time at NYU. As a German international student who was a little homesick her first year, I played this song to remind myself of all the beautiful things and connections back in Frankfurt. But in the last four years, I have learned to build myself a community here in New York – with strangers that became friends and unfamiliar streets that became my home neighborhood. Now, I listen to this song when I fly back to New York from wherever I’ve been. I am proud to call more than one place home.
Katrina Morgan – Tandon School of Engineering, Integrated Design and Media
Song Choice: “As It Was” by Harry Styles
Although it’s fairly new, this is a song that invokes a unique feeling of nostalgia to me. The chorus says, “It’s not the same as it was,” and it reminds me of how much things have changed and how much I have grown over the past four years. Harry Styles is also the artist I listened to the most during college, and for the majority of all of my school years. Fun fact: I attended six Harry Styles concerts while a student at NYU!
Abby Brachio – Liberal Studies, Global Liberal Studies (Sustainability, Health, and the Environment) and Global Public Health
Song choice: “The City” by Sam Fischer
Unfortunately, a big part of my college experience was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. This song came out in 2021. When I heard it, I felt like it was speaking to all of the feelings I was having about being stuck at home when I wanted to be out exploring New York City and having the quintessential college experience. That said, I also think the song is hopeful because it’s about the allure and promise of living in a big city. Even when the world slowed down, New York was still the place I wanted to be because I saw so much potential for myself there.
Esofi Nunyi – College of Arts and Science, Global Public Health and Sociology with a minor in Chemistry
Song choice: “Firework” by Katy Perry
Whenever this song plays, it instills within me so much confidence! I think at NYU we learn how to be our truest selves–and that’s what Firework is all about. Let yourself shine!
Samantha Molina – Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Media Communications and Consumer Culture in Fashion and Beauty with a minor in Studio Art
Song Choice: “Independent Women, Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child
As a Latina who is the first in her family to attend college and earn a degree, my entire journey at NYU has felt empowering. The closer I got to graduation, the more internships I did, the more time I spent on campus, all of it fueled my ambition to make it to the finish line and officially become a college graduate. This song pumped me up during midterms, finals, and will always remind me of what I accomplished at NYU.
For more music curated by current NYU students, follow MeetNYU on Spotify!
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