Midterms are a special time in the semester when screen times go up, hours slept go down, and studying feels like you’re preparing for an Olympic event.
A midterm essential is, of course, rewatching a brainless TV show that’s ridiculously easy to follow between highlighting sections of a textbook, writing half-legible definitions, or lying in bed questioning your academic choices.
I’ll describe “brainless TV” as shows you watch where there’s no overwhelming drama or complicated storyline to track. Usually a sitcom, it’s easy to follow, entertaining, and you don’t need to understand the overarching plot to enjoy it. Just watch whatever episode, and you’ll be entertained. It’s a comfort show you can tune back into every few minutes and know exactly what’s happening without much effort.
Here are 6 shows that fall perfectly into that category.
- Derry Girls
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This is a coming-of-age sitcom about a group of friends living in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and all the teenage antics they get up to. It’s a touching story about growing up, and it’s as funny as it is heartwarming.
As we face the second half of the semester, it’s a good reminder that growing up, facing endings and beginnings are good things.
- New Girl
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Another elite comfort sitcom, this is about four roommates living in Los Angeles as they navigate adulthood, friendships, and relationships in their late 20s and early 30s. Life doesn’t magically end after college.
New Girl is the perfect midterms distraction when you need to escape into a slightly more whimsical version of adulthood.
- Modern Family
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This mockumentary-style sitcom follows three families, showcasing the conflicts and enjoyment that can only be found within an interconnected family. It’s a great midterm watch to soothe the brain, where everything is resolved within 22 minutes. Low-stakes, low stress, and relatable in one way or another.
- Sex and the City
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Drama, friendships, romance, and fabulous fashion. This is the ultimate escape. You can close your eyes and say, “I think I can, I think I can,” and manifest yourself living in New York with your closest friends, working a fabulously cool job, and maybe even that toxic back-and-forth with that one ex.
This is the motivation to get through midterms; it’s not always about the grades, sometimes it’s about finishing college to get to the fun part of adulthood.
- Bob’s Burgers
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This animated series is weird, heartwarming, hilarious, and wholesome. It’s full of eccentrics and odd storylines, but it’s very grounding and always gives off those warm and fuzzy feelings.
It’s a great comfort during tumultuous study times, whether it’s background noise or the main event of the night. You’ll maybe shed some tears, but it’s good for the soul.
- That ’70s Show
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Set in the groovy Wisconsin suburbs, this show captures all too well-known teenage experiences of doing nothing with your friends and having fun. It’s a nice nostalgia trip to high school before you had to make a LinkedIn or worry about post-grad employment. It’s also a great reminder that when midterms are over, you can finally relax and hang out with your friends again.
Ultimately, a brainless TV show serves as a nice rest for your brain during midterms. By giving us low-stakes plots and guaranteed resolution, these shows are a great mental reset necessary to survive upcoming exams.
Don’t procrastinate, find your brainless TV show soon!
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