Songs That Got Me Through Each Month of 1L

This blog post was written by Abigail Harding.

I almost always have music playing. Even when I leave the room, I keep it on—like I want it to hold space for me. I love to read, play the piano, and get lost in a song’s rhythm, a single lyric, or even just the feeling it gives me. And during 1L, music was one of the few constants in a year that felt like a whirlwind.

Law school was hard, but I honestly loved it—especially that first semester. It had its overwhelming moments, sure, but it also brought a sense of purpose I’d been chasing. Still, no matter how much I enjoyed it, I needed something to help me process the chaos, the stress, and the growth. That’s where music came in.

Some of these songs are just vibes. Some are pure emotion. Some got me through long study nights, and others reminded me to slow down. This is the playlist that helped me survive—and enjoy—my 1L year.

August — “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon

There’s just something about this song that feels like freedom and sunshine. I spent last summer working at the lake with my best friend, soaking up every second before school started. Kodachrome was my soundtrack for those drives home, hair still wet, sunburned and happy. It carried me into orientation week with excitement, reminding me that joy and color exist even in high-stress seasons.

September — “Oh Susannah” by Wyatt Flores

This one hit me in the chest in the best way. September is when 1L really starts—when the readings pile up and you realize this isn’t just a new school, it’s a new life. Oh Susannah felt like home. It reminded me of where I come from and helped me hold on to my sense of self while adjusting to everything new.

October — “It Never Rains in Southern California” by Albert Hammond

This song felt exactly like October—burnout starting to creep in, even though everything on the surface still looked fine. There’s something about the laid-back beat mixed with the melancholic lyrics that captured how I felt that month: smiling, joking, showing up, but a little bit fried inside.

November — “Glimpse of Us x La La Land” by Andy Morris

November was heavy. The looming pressure of finals, outlines, and cold weather just weighed everything down. This mashup gave me permission to feel a little lost and nostalgic—like remembering who I was before law school and dreaming about who I might be after. It was my quiet soundtrack while journaling or walking between study sessions.

December — “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini

December finals were like a dramatic opera, so of course I had to fully lean into it. I blasted this walking into my exams, pretending I was a warrior instead of a sleep-deprived law student. “Vincerò” (“I will win”) was exactly the kind of over-the-top energy I needed. And honestly? It worked.

January — “Adagio Sostenuto – 2nd Mvt (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2)”

Coming back after winter break was hard. The excitement of starting law school had worn off, and everything felt quiet and cold. I didn’t want lyrics or distractions—just something beautiful to sit with. This piece is full of longing and grace, and it matched the slow, internal pace of that month. It was perfect for the days I was stuck inside from all the snow.

February — “To Wait” by Kris Bowers

February felt like a holding pattern. I was waiting for grades, waiting for spring, waiting for something to shift. This piece is subtle and soft, and it gave me permission to just… be. It was perfect for studying, reflecting, or simply not rushing things. If you haven’t listen to the Bridgerton soundtrack I highly suggest it! It’s a great mix of instrumental covers of popular songs and beautifully pieces that keep the story going.

March — “Now We Are Free” from Gladiator

March felt like a quiet victory. I wasn’t a newbie anymore. I had made it through my first set of finals and was starting to believe I belonged here. This song has that exact energy—liberating, emotional, and grounded. I’d listen to it walking into the law school, breathing a little easier than I had months before.

April — “Spring Into Summer” by Lizzie Alpine

The sun was coming back, and so was my sense of peace. Spring Into Summer was light, hopeful, and airy—like I could finally stretch again after being curled up in study-mode all winter. It reminded me that I love this life, even the hard parts, and that the best seasons are still ahead.

May — “Gentle on My Mind” by Glen Campbell

Finals again, but this time I wasn’t so panicked. I was more thoughtful, more reflective. This song feels like comfort—it reminds me to stay soft, stay present, and remember that the people and places I care about most are never far from my mind, even when life gets overwhelming.

Honorable Mentions

These songs didn’t define a specific month, but they absolutely deserve credit for getting me through 1L. Some were study staples, some were test-day rituals, and some just helped me feel something when everything else felt a little numb.

• “Shoot to Thrill” – AC/DC

  I’ve listened to this before every single test I’ve taken—since high school. It’s pure adrenaline, and it never fails to flip the switch from nervous to focused.

• “At Wit's End” – Hans Zimmer

  From Pirates of the Caribbean, this one plays like a full-on cinematic breakdown—and recovery. It gave me drama, stakes, and the energy to keep going when I was mentally tapped out. (also sometimes lead to some day dreaming…)

• “Mia & Sebastian’s Theme” – Justin Hurwitz

  Gentle, longing, and beautiful. I played this on repeat during slow mornings or while journaling. It’s one of those pieces that reminded me to take a breath and feel something other than stress.

• “The Swan” – Camille Saint-Saëns

  This one feels like grace in the middle of chaos. It’s soft and full of depth, and I often turned to it when I needed to slow down and reconnect with myself during the more intense weeks. I learned this song on the piano and whenever life got to be too much, I took the time to sit down and play it myself.

• “With Love Comes Loss” – John Powell

  From How to Train Your Dragon 2, this one really got me during finals week. It’s emotional without being distracting—perfect for long, quiet study sessions when I didn’t want lyrics but still needed something that felt full of heart.

Final Notes

1L changed me. It stretched me, challenged me, and gave me a clearer picture of the kind of lawyer—and person—I want to be. These songs helped me feel all of that.

If you’re heading into 1L, I highly recommend building your own monthly soundtrack. Music has this quiet way of helping us process what we don’t always have the words for. And if you need somewhere to start, feel free to borrow any of my playlists.

Want to listen to my HW playlist? Listen to my no-words homework playlist on Spotify

This playlist is a mix of piano pieces, symphonies, and songs that helped me through every twist of my 1L year. Some are instrumental (perfect for studying), some are nostalgic, and all of them meant something to me.