It’s the beginning of the semester, and picking up textbooks, catching up with friends you didn’t see over break and flipping to a brand new year on the calendar can be both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Channeling that energy to start the semester off strong is what going back to campus is all about. If you’re looking for a motivational soundtrack to help you along, MOVE’s got you covered with this 10-song mix.
**“Kill Your Heroes” by AWOLNATION**
“Kill Your Heroes” is upbeat and fun musically, but it also has some great lyrics for anyone seeking encouragement. For those who are driven by those who care about them, “Don’t worry, we love you more than you know” is a reminder of your friends’ and family’s support. Of course there’s “Fly, fly, baby don’t cry.” But the best lyric, suitable for a motivational poster, is “Never let your fear decide your fate.”
**“Work B**ch” by Britney Spears**
This song is really a classic for anyone who’s struggled to just write that dumb paper already. Britney will remind you that if you want to live in a big mansion and party in France, you better get to work so you can graduate and make the dough for that manor (since you’re probably not going to win the Powerball).
**“I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers**
Shouting “I wanna get better” along with Bleachers is a great way to channel your inner desire to slay the game this semester. This alternative rock hit will remind you not to stay comfortably stagnant but to show the world how much you can improve.
**“The Walker” by Fitz and the Tantrums**
This song features one of the most pumped-up first stanzas ever: “Crazy’s what they think about me, ain’t gonna stop cause they tell me so / cause 99 miles per hour, baby, is how fast that I like to go.” Musically, “The Walker” also delivers with an upbeat pace and an animated tone.
**“All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled**
It’s probably impossible to formulate a motivational playlist and not at least consider this song. The title really says it all: this semester, all you will do is win. Not to mention, DJ Khaled has practically become a [freelance motivational speaker for this generation over Snapchat](http://time.com/4172848/dj-khaled-keys-to-success/).
**“Control” by Halsey**
Nothing makes you feel empowered like the lyric “Goddamn right, you should be scared of me.” If embracing your inner power and aggression is your brand of motivation, this semi-spooky indie-pop song is your next anthem.
**“I Can Do Anything” by 3OH!3**
3OH!3 isn’t exactly the classiest act, but the mantra “I ain’t gonna take no shit from no one/I ain’t gonna take no lip from no one … It’s golden now, why would I slow down?” as well as the “I can do anything”-filled chorus combine to make a song perfect for anyone who wants to aggressively show how they can do, well, anything.
“Money” by Mystery Skulls
If you’re the kind of person who gets caught up in worrying about money at the beginning of a semester, forget your tuition cost for a few minutes and enjoy this upbeat electronic track instead. Mystery Skulls sings what we should all tell ourselves: “I need to stop worrying about things I can’t control/I need to stop worrying about the dollars I don’t own” and “It’s my time and I should live it.”
**“HOV Lane” by Nicki Minaj**
Is it truly a good motivational playlist if there isn’t a Nicki Minaj song about being the best? Nicki’s driving in the fast lane and so are you. “I don’t do shotgun, I be driving my own car / I don’t do shots, neither, I’m buying the whole bar” are my personal favorite energizing lyrics from this rap track.
**“Work This Body” by Walk The Moon**
Arguably the most motivational track on this playlist, “Work This Body” has something for anyone determined to achieve their goals. It’s great for those working “in the dead of night” to succeed at their job or classes, exclaiming, “yeah, I’m a workaholic,” as well as those hitting the Rec, getting ready to “work this body on the floor” and asking their rivals to “meet (them) on the court.”
Check out the playlist on Spotify below and let MOVE know your favorite motivational track in a comment or over twitter at [@ManeaterMOVE](https://twitter.com/ManeaterMOVE).
Note: “Money” by Mystery Skulls can’t be found on Spotify, but you can listen to it [here](https://mysteryskulls.bandcamp.com/album/ep).
