Everybody needs a study break now and then and, in this age of online streaming, there are a whole host of distractions out there vying for your time. In this instance, a little distraction is what we’re suggesting. Now and then, it is necessary to relax and enjoy a bit escapist entertainment.
The shows we are about to recommend the deal with the struggles of academic life in some way, shape, or form, but all of them have something else in common, too. All of them present characters in situations that are plausible and relatable to college-aged people. Let’s have a look…
#1: The Gilmore Girls
The Gilmore Girls follows Lorelei and Rory Gilmore as they trundle through life in small-town America. It is the comfort food of TV drama: it feels good to watch, and the exceptional writing makes the characters very relatable.
The academic life of Rory’s academic pursuits is a routine part of the storyline. She takes her studies seriously and excels at academics as a result. The messaging here is that hard work and dedication do have their rewards, many of which reach way beyond the classroom.
Students can learn much from Rory about responsible study habits. We think The Gilmore Girls will provide the inspiration and motivation needed to get back to the books and enjoy a little of your success as a result.
#2: Freaks and Geeks
Before anyone knew who James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel were, they were breaking new ground in this too-short-lived comedy/drama about high school life in the early 1980s. Most episodes of Freaks and Geeks include familiar scenes of academic life during that timeframe. It is interesting to see how different things were back then, but also how people haven’t changed much between then and now.
Lindsay Weir is one of the show’s more unique characters: a good student struggling to figure out who she really wants to be. Any college student who is trying to figure out life, in general, will relate well to Lindsay. Even at the show’s end, the viewer knows that there are many more chapters in her life that are yet to be written and many new things to experience.
#3: Daria
If you are a girl who’s tired of being told, “You should smile more…” you will relate well to Daria. She has her own opinions and feelings, and she is not afraid to express either. There is just something about the way she views the world and the way she describes that view to the people around her that reveal simple (yet uncomfortable) truths about life.
In one unique storyline, she discovers her love for writing and shares some of her work with a friend. It is a massive step for Daria, but she leaps the faith. That friend decides to take on the role of editor and personal writing tutor for her. As he reads her work, he becomes more and more impressed and encourages her to take the next step: seeking publication of some of her poetry and creative writing.
#4: Community
Community features a delightful ensemble cast that portrays older community college students at a fictional school in Colorado. There isn’t much here about academics, but the social dynamics and situations should be familiar to anyone who has braved college life for more than five minutes.
It’s those moments of reliability and the humorous caricaturist way they are portrayed that make this show binge-worthy. When you feel overwhelmed by work, life, or love, there is someone on this show that embodies the problem as well as the solution. It reveals many of the struggles of college life with a particular light-hearted spin.
With so many great viewing options, the only question is how long to spend binge-watching before getting back to the books. We think that the title above will provide enough inspiration to do just that. Enjoy your downtime and be inspired!