As the temperature continues to drop and students move back to campus, summer in Madison is slipping away. Amid reunions with friends, it can be hard to let go of summer vacations and log back on to Canvas.
To get students back into the school spirit the University of Wisconsin-Madison is famous for, The Daily Cardinal has created a list of movies, songs and books to spur some joy during the apprehensive back-to-school season.
For watching:
“Pitch Perfect”
Sing and dance along to this back-to-school essential, which follows college student Beca as she joins the Barden Bellas, a campus a capella group. This musical comedy depicts the anxieties of freshman move-in, the fear of going to the club fair and that first college crush. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to join one of UW-Madison’s a capella groups.
“21 Jump Street”
Starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as undercover high school students, “21 Jump Street” is a wholly inaccurate and yet entirely relatable depiction of the drugs, sex and rock and roll of high school. The film’s genius lies in its flipping of high school tropes and its unexpected deep look into adolescent anxieties. “21 Jump Street” will make you mourn high school yet leave you relieved you’ve left those days behind.
“Good Will Hunting”
The Academy Award-winning “Good Will Hunting” follows misfit Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a 20-year-old janitor at MIT whose genius-level IQ is discovered when he solves a graduate-level math problem on a hallway chalkboard. What follows is Hunting’s journey to reach his full potential, fall in love and confront the traumas of his past. This movie will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with learning, leaving you inspired to solve hard math problems. Or at the very least, to do some of your homework.
For listening:
“Jump Around” by House of Pain
Not only is “Jump Around” the anthem of UW-Madison, but its repetitive message will get you on your feet, jumping the jitters away. Plug into this House of Pain hit before entering the Memorial Library cages or climbing Bascom Hill and watch your worries turn to excitement for the fun to come.
“Stick Season” by Noah Kahan
Although not a back-to-school song, Kahan’s folk-pop hit evokes visions of knit sweaters and rebrands fall as “the season of the sticks.” He even perfectly describes the feeling of fall semester at college, singing “I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas.”
“We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes
Fall is here with The White Stripes' mellow tune, which emulates positivity and recalls memories of elementary school playgrounds. Their lyrics are a good reminder to not only focus on your studies but enjoy college with your friends and take in the little moments. From the wide-eyed freshmen to the all-knowing seniors, “We’re Going to Be Friends” is the friendship song for all.
For reading:
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
Chbosky’s 1999 coming-of-age story remains a staple in back-to-school reading. The epistolary novel follows Charlie, a freshman working through the trials of high school and making new friends. For those who feel like a small fish in the very large UW-Madison pond, this book is just what you need.
“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
Zevin’s bestselling novel spans the 30-year creative partnership and tumultuous friendship of Sam Masur and Sadie Green, two video game lovers brought together by chance as children. Much of the novel focuses on their college years in the late 1990s and the balance between being a student and preparing for your future. It’s easy for college students to relate to this novel, which mirrors the transitional nature and identity search that happens during college.
“The Crayons Go Back to School” by Drew Daywalt
Don’t have the energy to read a full novel? Pick up the classic picture book about crayons learning how to work together in a classroom. The illustrations are colorful, the message is sweet and the minimal words provide a good break from reading syllabi.
