As any college student knows: no matter how hard you try, sometimes it can be difficult to feel like you’re living that academically-and-socially-thriving kind of university experience that you only seem to see on the screen. While the back-to-back classes and the highly demanding workload can be dispiriting and might take away some of that initial beginning-of-college excitement, it’s all in the way you think about it. What I find helps me is watching my favorite TV shows and movies that take place in a college setting, and applying the feelings I get from those onto my own life. I can watch Legally Blonde and feel empowered to take on my academic to-do list, and I could also watch Community if I want encouragement to get to know people that I usually wouldn’t cross paths with. Here are some of my recommendations for inspirational college movies and shows that might just help you get back to that excitement reminiscent of your attitudes at the beginning of the school year.
(And don’t worry, this isn’t exclusive to girls, but these movies and shows are typically marketed to and starring women)
SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS
I mean, it’s in the name. This show written by Mindy Kaling chronicles the dramatic, interesting, stressful, and exciting experiences of four college roommates who are hoping to have fun and follow their dreams. The four girls (Kimberly, Leighton, Bela, and Whitney) bond despite their vastly different personalities and interests, and they all navigate their first two years of college together. The girls themselves are extremely lovable and you can’t help rooting for them even when they might be in the wrong. As you might think, based on the title, the girls also focus a lot on relationships, all going through break-ups and romantic drama. Despite the messiness of it all, you feel like they’re your friends too. The new experiences, relationships, and challenges they face are exciting when they’re not stressful, and it definitely inspires me to get out of my comfort zone. If you want to build anticipation about your exciting college life, this show is definitely one to watch.
LEGALLY BLONDE
A 2000s classic, Elle Woods gets into Harvard Law School to follow her ex-boyfriend and hopefully win him back. She famously states, “What, like it’s hard?” The sorority president, fashion merchandising major at CULA (a fictional university) gets broken up with by her boyfriend Warner, who decided she wasn’t serious enough for him. At first, she’s distraught, but then she comes up with a completely brilliant plan: she could just go to Harvard too! In her journey to prove herself to Warner, she realizes that she’s smarter than others think and is a prime example of both beauty and brains. She proves herself to everyone around her, even the people who consistently rooted for her downfall and got in the way of her success. Along the way, she finds love, while also finding herself. It’s a great watch for any girl, but especially those who sometimes doubt themselves and hold a deep appreciation for the color pink.
PITCH PERFECT
Pitch Perfect is the perfect encouragement to get involved in something new. Becca, a slightly grungy college freshman played by Anna Kendrick, wants to become a music producer but somehow finds her way into an all-female acapella group, much to her own surprise. By the end, she realizes she’s joined a sisterhood, and despite their differences, they work together to have one heck of a final performance. If you like to watch girls sing and dance, it’s a great movie. But it’s also a great tale of found family, determination, teamwork, and individuality. I never watch it without shedding a tear. It’s a must-watch if you’re looking to break out of your shell, and it tells us that you should seize every opportunity you get, even if it might not seem like something you’re into. You never know what’ll happen, but Becca’s story tells us that the random club you’re invited to join could be the greatest decision you ever make.
THE HOUSE BUNNY
It doesn’t matter whether you’re apart of greek life or not, The House Bunny starring Anna Faris is both an incredible and hilarious watch. A former playboy bunny named Shelley who was kicked out because she was “too old” (you’re not able to be sexy after you turn 27, apparently) heads to a college campus, looking for a sorority to join. She stumbles across Zeta Alpha Zeta, an underdog sorority made up of girls that are more quirky and unconventional as compared to the popular notion of a “sorority girl.” She becomes close with the girls, and teaches them all the things she knows about how to create an outfit and attract boys, things she’s learned from all her years as a playboy bunny.
GILMORE GIRLS (WHEN RORY’S AT YALE)
If you ever need inspiration to “lock in” on your academics, Rory Gilmore is the ultimate role model. As a young girl, she had always wanted to be a student at Harvard University. But, with a decision that surprises her family and even herself, she commits to Yale University instead. Over a few years, she experiences tumultuous relationship drama, has conflicts with friends, explores new parts of her identity, and continues her dreams to become a journalist. Although sometimes the situations she finds herself in can be very stressful, her character can be both inspirational and relatable to so many college-aged young women.
SYDNEY WHITE
In another film about Greek life, Amanda Bynes plays an unconventional tomboy named Sydney White who doesn’t really fit into a stereotypical “girly girl” style. Despite her unconventional way of gender expression, she continues her mother’s legacy by rushing the same sorority she did. Along the way, she garners a lot of attention and seems to have many things work out for her, mostly due to her natural striking beauty and heart full of kindness. Some of the more “popular” girls in the sorority find issue with this, deciding to try making things difficult for Sydney. By the end of the movie, she shows everyone that individuality and being true to yourself is always the right option. It’s a great pick for anyone who might need a reminder that there’s no need to change themselves to fit in.
Overall, these movies and shows are some of my personal favorites and I truly believe that they hold extremely valuable lessons that every college student should learn! As a college freshman, I definitely can’t wait for all the exciting experiences and stressful situations I might find myself in over the next four years. Having these wonderful tales of friendship, womanhood, intelligence, and individuality in the back of our minds will only serve to enhance what will be some of the greatest years of our lives. I highly recommend checking out every single movie or show I mentioned, they might show you something valuable. But, always remember, you make your own life into a movie. You don’t need to copy anything else to be extraordinary.