Spotted: Your Midsem Study Playlist, Gossip Girl Style

Sep 3, 2025
2 min read

Mid-semester exams are here, and suddenly the Giblin Library has become the Upper East Side - crowded, chaotic, and full of students pretending like they've got it all figured out. Whether you're writing notes like Blair Waldorf revising a guest list, or cramming lecture captures at 2x speed like Dan Humphrey chasing Serena, one thing is certain: your study playlist speaks volumes.

But unlike Gossip Girl, we're not here to stir drama - we're here to decode what your soundtrack says about you, and give you insider tips to survive midsem season with less stress and more strategy.

The Blair Waldorf - Classical & Focused

Playlist: Chopin, piano, lo-fi beats.

Exam vibe: Meticulous, ambitious, and colour coded. You plan your revision schedule weeks in advance and stick to it with precision.

Survival tip:

Structure is your strength - but it can also cause burnout.

Incorporate the Pomodoro technique (25 mins off, 5 mins off) to protect your focus!

The Serene van der Woodsen - Pop & Vibes

Playlist: Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Beyonce.

Exam vibe: Effortlessly chaotic! You start revising with good intentions, but somehow your Spotify Wrapped is more up-to-date than your lecture notes..

Survival tip:

Use your energy bursts wisely with power hours - one hour of distraction-free study, then reward yourself with a coffee run! By pairing effort with reward, you'll turn your charisma into consistent results.

The Chuck Bass - Dark & Moody

Playlist: Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Cigarettes after Sex.

Exam vibe: Thrives on intensity. You pull last-minute all-nighters and still manage to scrape through with mysterious confidence.

Survival tip:

All-nighters might work once, but they aren't sustainable. Instead, swap them for late-evening review sessions - study until 10pm, sleep, and do a 30 minute morning recap. Research shows memory consolidates better with rest! Even Chuck would admit that power comes from strategy, not just bravado..

The Dan Humphrey - White Noise & Indie

Playlist: Indie acoustics, cafe chatter, rain sounds.

Exam vibe: Quietly consistent. You thrive in corners of the library no one notices, typing away steadily..

Survival tip:

Consistency is your edge, but don't isolate yourself. Balance solo sessions with study groups - even one collaborative session per subject (e.g. PASS sessions) can clarify tough concepts. Remember, even Lonely Boy became part of the story eventually!

The Jenny Humphrey - Experimental & Chaotic

Playlist: Techno, hyperpop, rock.

Exam vibe: Creative and unpredictable. You oscillate between peak productivity and TikTok doom-scrolling at 3am..

Survival tip:

Embrace your creativity, but set guardrails. Try time-blocking: dedicate specific hours to deep study, and others to free exploration. This way, your chaos fuels originality instead of sabotaging deadlines <3

So, Upper East Siders, whether you're a Blair orchestrating her perfect H1 revision notes, a Serena multitasking with questionable efficiency, or a Little J harnessing chaos, your playlist is more than a soundtrack - it's a reflection of how YOU navigate study.

Exams might feel overwhelming, but remember: stress is normal, strategy is essential, and music can be your secret study weapon. Choose wisely, study smartly, and don't forget to breathe.

And as Gossip Girl might say...

"The exam season may test your knowledge, but it doesn't define your story."

XOXO, The UniDiaries

By Saan Shon