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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.

With no spring break in sight and non-stop classes, I’ve compiled a list of TV shows that I throw on in the background to find some modicum of motivation! Sometimes it just helps to remember that we aren’t alone in these struggles and that we all feel a little burnt out. Hopefully, these shows can help you as they’ve helped me.

Madam Secretary 

Madam Secretary has been my “Office” for the past couple of years. While it doesn’t have raucous humor or a playful perversion of a mundane office, it’s tame enough to have playing in the background. I was a little reluctant to introduce more politics into my life amid such a rife political environment that is pushed upon us, but the consistent upstanding morals and cute family dynamics are reassuring. The seasons are easy for rewatching, which I’m prone to, and depicts a moral, female politician as the main character!

Schitt’s Creek

The twenty-minute-long episodes are perfect when you want to take a quick study break or have to power through your midterms. While the first season can be somewhat cringey–watching rich people be sad–the rest of the seasons are full of writing that still, after three re-watches, has me snorting my tea through my nose. Definitely a light-hearted, background favorite!

The Great British Bake Off

Any season is a great jumping-off point, with lovely visuals, cadence, and content. Who doesn’t love looking up from an assignment to see a beautiful patisserie or a bombed showstopper?

Bridgerton

Last, but certainly not least, the new Netflix show, Bridgerton. I have shamelessly rewatched this show at least four times and await the next seasons restlessly. After the preliminary watch, rewatching has become a favorite pastime of mine while I cook, read, or study, due to my need-to-multitask psyche. 

If you’re like me and thrive on music/ambiance in the background, these are my go-to’s!

Katherine Santin

U Mass Amherst '22

Katherine is a Senior majoring in Legal Studies and English with a minor in Arabic. She loves animals, and spend time with her dog and horse when she's at home. Some of her other interests include hiking, kayaking, and writing. Feel free to follow her instagram: @ughkatie
Contributors from the University of Massachusetts Amherst