If Taylor Swift Eras Were TMU Students

Let’s be real. The recent release of Taylor Swift’s new album Midnights, has only solidified that this is Taylor’s world and we’re all just living in it. As I was walking to class (too) early on an October Monday morning, listening to the playlist 🍂taylor swift for the fall (external link, opens in new window)  🍂 an idea popped into my head. What if the different Taylor Swift eras were Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students?

The world was first introduced to Taylor Swift in 2006 with the release of her self-titled album. It would make sense that Taylor Swift Taylor is in the Professional Music program, learning the basics of the industry and getting her feet wet with everything music-related. Outside of class, self-titled Taylor would be a singer for TMU’s a capella group, Resonate (external link, opens in new window) . 

Fearless Taylor has some of Taylor’s best lyrics, really showing off her songwriting skills. This Taylor would be an English major, as her appreciation for literature is evident in the Romeo & Juliet reference in “Love Story.” In addition to being a student, Taylor is also a mentor to a first-year English student through the Tri-Mentoring Program, telling them to be fearless in their studies.

It makes sense that Speak Now Taylor would be in the Language and Intercultural Relations program. To be a successful artist, Taylor needs to know how to communicate and reach many different audiences and cultures through her songs, and this program helps her do so! She’s concentrating in language and cognition, hoping to share her music in many different ways.

Did you know that Taylor invented the colour red? Okay, maybe she didn’t, but Red was a standout era for Taylor. The aesthetic for this era had some of the best looks (topped off with red lipstick), making Red Taylor a Fashion student. Red Taylor also has a minor in Film Studies, because how else would she have made the masterpiece that is the “All Too Well” short film?

1989 was a pivotal era for Taylor, mostly since it was her first album that had no country influence. Taylor had to be creative during this era, making her the perfect Creative Industries student. The business skills she learned in her Music Industry module helped her get a feel for the pop music industry. As a Creative Industries student myself, I can confirm that a majority of us are Starbucks lovers, ensuring that Taylor would fit right in.

If 1989 Taylor was something new, then reputation Taylor really came out of left field. To continue her success, reputation Taylor would have been in the Business Management program, majoring in Marketing. She would have used her marketing skills and knowledge to show off her new image, and create hype for her new album and style. Outside of class, Taylor is a writer for the student-run newspaper The Eyeopener (external link, opens in new window) , always looking to break the next big story.

This era of Taylor is almost a complete 180 from reputation. Lover Taylor was sweet and fun, making her the perfect student for the Child and Youth Care program. She’s looking forward to using her life experiences and knowledge gained from this class to support youth in a variety of situations, because if anyone knows how to empower, it’s Lover Taylor. In between classes, Lover Taylor can be found daydreaming in Kerr Quad, staring at the Toronto skyline.

These two albums were released within months of each other in 2020. Since they were made during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor and her collaborators had to get a little creative. folklore and evermore Taylor is in the Computer Engineering program, and uses the skills to learn more about the systems and hardware that help her make her music. This Taylor can often be found doing late night study sessions at the Student Learning Centre (opens in new window)  with a cup of Balzac’s (external link, opens in new window)  coffee always within reach.

Midnights Taylor is still new, she’s still mysterious. The album had an air of mystery to it and left much for Swifties to decode and figure out, making Midnights Taylor the perfect Mathematics and Its Applications student. There’s even a Midnights song called “Question..?” and we all know math has many questions. When not solving problems (or creating mysteries), Midnights Taylor works an on-campus Career Boost job in social media marketing, gaining skills to launch her next era. 

Unfortunately, I don’t think Taylor Swift will be making her way to the TMU campus anytime soon, but one can dream. However, if TMU were to offer a Taylor Swift course, I’d be the first to sign up!

Until next time, 

Jenna

Featured image:  (image file) taylorswift.com (external link, opens in new window)