How To Navigate College Life - According To Your Favorite TV Shows!

The upcoming school year is about to start, and soon new faces will be seen on the grassy lawns of your campus quad and piling into lecture halls. College is a time of transitions and, for many incoming Freshmen, a time of equal discovery and uncertainty. Luckily, there are a good number of TV shows out there that capture what it’s like to navigate the exhilarating years of emerging adulthood. Here is a list of shows offering just the right advice to help you through these transformative years. 

1. "The Sex Lives of College Girls": Try New Things! 

Another smash hit by Mindy Kaling and co-creator Justin Noble, “The Sex Lives of College Girls” is a raunchy and heartfelt comedy-drama that captures the rollercoaster of emotions that accompanies setting foot into college. From befriending your dormmates to attending your first naked party, this show is a reminder to give every new thing a try when you’re in college. Test your hand at writing for your school’s satire newspaper or dip your toes into Greek life! The point is, college is a playground for exploration! But if you’re not the adventurous type, then dive into the series and follow the lives of freshman roommate quartet Kimberly, Bela, Leighton, and Whitney instead. Stream on Max. 

2. "Community": Join a Study Group!

While the 6-season sitcom “Community” doesn’t portray your typical 4-year college journey, it highlights the best takeaway you’ll get from attending any college: a community. Creator Dan Harmon and the wonderful ensemble cast of “Community” will have you engrossed in the hysterical hijinks and banter that ensues between the members of Jeff Winger’s (Joel McHale) study group at Greendale Community College. Following an unlikely band of misfits – from a disbarred lawyer to an elderly millionaire –  “Community” is a testament to the diversity of quirky characters you’re bound to meet in college. The show makes frequent references to pop culture and television clichés. Just a couple episodes of “Community” and you’ll be rolling into your next group study session with a ton of cool TV facts that are sure to impress. Stream on Netflix and Hulu.

3. "Girls": Learn From Your Mistakes!

“Girls” follows the lives of aspiring writer Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham) and her 3 friends as they figure out how to live on their own in New York City. While most of the main cast are actually recent college post-grads (except for current NYU student Shoshanna Shapiro, played by Zosia Mamet), the show still conveys the chaos and excitement that comes with living by yourself for the first time. The show is a reminder that college (and the many years following) are going to be full of trial and error – and that’s completely okay! It may seem like the road ahead is tumultuous and unpredictable, but whether you’re struggling to find a direction in life or you’re pursuing a liberal arts degree, just know that everyone else is also making mistakes and the important thing is to learn from them and to move on. Stream on Max.

4. "Grown-ish": Don’t Be Afraid To Be Yourself!

A spin-off of ABC hit family sitcom “Black-ish”, “Grown-ish” is a teen sitcom that follows Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) as she ventures into college. “Grown-ish” carries an emotional maturity while still maintaining a comedic lens through the ups and downs of Zoey’s college life. Coming to terms with sexuality, fear of disappointing parents, and balancing work and play are all things that Zoey and her group of friends have to overcome as they find themselves in their new surroundings. One central conflict that the main character Zoey navigates is how to balance between being true to herself and experiencing everything that college has to offer, including the excess of parties, drugs, and alcohol. If there is one lesson to take away from “Grownish”, it's that you don’t need to change yourself to fit in. Just be true to who you are! Stream on Hulu.

5. "Undeclared": Find Humor In Awkwardness!

Creator Judd Apatow knows just what the college crowd wants to see: messy relationships, crazy dorm parties and – of course – Adam Sandler. “Undeclared” is a hilarious comedy that shows college life through the lens of geeky underdog Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel). With the eclectic cast featuring Seth Rogen and Charlie Hunnan, “Undeclared” portrays the awkward kids banding together to survive being thrown into the deep end of college life. Being rejected by a romantic interest and undergoing intense fraternity hazing may not sound entirely pleasant, but Steven and his friends manage to find the humor in every situation, entertaining themselves as much as the audience. Be prepared to be shocked by the list of guest stars (Kevin Hart! Amy Poehler! Jason Segel!), or be pleasantly amused by a couple of dumb kids awkwardly stumbling through college life. Stream on Prime Video.

Have a great school year!