The Freshers’ Playlist: A song for every day of Welcome Week

Freshers’ Week and first term bring a variety of different experiences, from meeting your new flatmates and beginning lectures, to attending your first ever POP!. Of course, you will need the perfect playlist to accompany your new adventures. Below is a list of songs to help guide you through the many emotions you may be feeling as you take your first steps on Warwick’s campus. 

‘Homesick’ – Nell Mescal 

Nell Mescal’s single about moving away from home may hit what you are feeling on the nose. Freshers’ Week, and first term in general, is very exciting, but moving away from home and settling into a new routine while getting to know many different people can be overwhelming. Feelings of homesickness are normal, and nobody puts it better than Irish alternative pop singer (and yes, Paul Mescal’s sister) Nell Mescal. 

‘There She Goes’ – The La’s 

As well as settling into a new routine, you will also be finding your way around campus! There is no better song to explore campus while embodying your inner main character than ‘There She Goes’ by Liverpool legends The La’s. What’s more, as you get to know your new surroundings, the autumn leaves will be falling, and a warm cup of coffee will be needed, so there is no better choice than the track that has gained a reputation as an autumnal anthem due to its association with Gilmore Girls. 

‘Pink Pony Club’ – Chappell Roan 

Last summer had ‘Espresso’, but this summer, we did not have many contenders for ‘song of the summer’, so the Coventry and Leamington clubs will be relying on previous hits. Although this track was released in 2022, it is still a staple on any pres playlist, and Chappell Roan is still on a career-high, fresh off headlining Reading and Leeds, with new music in the works. 

‘Von Dutch’ – Charli xcx 

Although brat summer may be over, Charli xcx’s dance tracks serve as a great ‘pick me up’, and ‘Von Dutch’ is no exception to that rule. While first term is full of exciting new opportunities, it is also plagued by freshers’ flu and Thursday morning 9am lectures after a night at POP!. Charli xcx’s ‘Von Dutch’ is a perfect energy boost to drag you out of bed and into your lectures. 

‘Winter Song’ – Sam Fender 

Sam Fender’s cover of fellow Geordie native Alan Hull’s ‘Winter Song’ may not be your traditional upbeat Christmas song, but it is certainly very underrated. As first term flies by, we will be into the winter months before we know it. Fender’s version of ‘Winter Song’ is the perfect track to blast through your headphones as you walk back to halls on a dark, cold evening. 

‘These Are The Days’ – Inhaler 

While adjusting to your new life at university, you will go through ups and downs, but most importantly, you will have some exciting new experiences. Inhaler’s track from their sophomore album, with its guitar-infused melody, sums up the freshers experience perfectly: “These are the days / I think we’re going to be ok.” 

‘You’re Gonna Go Far’ – Noah Kahan featuring Brandi Carlisle 

Much like the first song on this playlist, the reason why Noah Kahan’s ‘You’re Gonna Go Far’ is featured on this playlist is fairly self-explanatory. Kahan’s ballad about packing up and moving away from home is an experience that most freshers can relate to. While the original version of this song is great, Brandi Carlisle’s vocals add an extra dimension in the re-released version. 

Hopefully, these songs will help guide you through the first term of freshers. Don’t forget to check out some of Warwick’s musicians and music-based societies too – from societies for every music genre to Battle of the Bands to Wickfest, there is something for everyone to get involved in!