So far while in college, I’ve felt as though I have so much free time to do anything, but so much work where I can ultimately do nothing with that free time. However, I’ve come up with a solution to make both work and play come together, and it’s through Netflix. To help all those college kids out there like me who like to watch TV shows while they work, here are some shows that require minimal attention to distract you from your studies but give you laughs to draw you away from the stress your work could cause.
Gilmore Girls
While the show is an hour long, most of it is filled up with useless witty banter between Lorelei and Rory, the Gilmore Girls. While the banter is funny, and provides lots of laughs, it has nothing to do with the main plots of each episode. This makes it quite easy to follow what each character is doing and when they’re doing it just by simple context of the show. Also, you can almost guarantee that in every episode Luke will get mad at Taylor, Lorelai will be annoyed by her parents, Rory will be reading, and Emily will hire a new maid. However, the show does keep your interest througout all seven seasons, and it will be a steady watch for those of you who love to watch a series straight through.Â
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The Office
Since each episode of The Office is only half an hour long, it makes it a lot easier to watch. The show revolves around the lives of several different people who work at a company known as Dunder Mifflin, displaying how working at a paper company is anything but boring. Every episode is filled with humorous and indescribable moments that would only happen to the members of the office itself. The show is set up like a reality show, so the characters each have their own chance to talk to the camera too, adding to the comedy of the action in the show. In this series, be prepared to encounter the great Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott, immediately fall for Jim Halpert, and allow yourself to like Toby (even though everyone in the office hates him).Â
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Parks and Recreation
This is the kind of show that will actually give you motivation to do your homework. While it may sound odd, Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, is so energetic and full of funny antecdotes, and her passion towards the parks and recreational department motivates you to be as passionate about something yourself. Similar to The Office, this show is based on the workings of a Parks and Rec department and follows the individuals of the small, but well-known town of Pawnee. However, unlike The Office,  this show will make you feel as though you can make a positive change in the world if you are just as willing and dedicated as Leslie Knope. You will fall in love with each character for many different reasons, but there’s no denying that you will love every character the same. Each have their quirks, and I’m sure that there is one person in the office that you have a similar personaliy to, making the show relatable and easy to watch.
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Friends
Let me just start this off by saying, EVERYONE LOVES FRIENDS! If you’ve never watched this show for God knows what reason, please start watching it! It is a show that has an easy enough plot each episode that you can keep up with for a half hour each episode. The characters are also probably the most relatable characters on television, and I’m sure you can see a bit of yourself in each one of them. The cast works so well together in this show, making the laughs endless and the situations of the episodes even funnier. Once you get tied up in Friends, you’ll ride the roller coaster that deals with Ross and Rachel’s relationship, Joey’s acting career, Monica’s love life, Chandler’s unappreciated commentary and jokes, and Pheobe’s original songs. These scenarios, along with many other reasons, will push you to keep watching the show, and will provide a sense of comfort and many laughs needed to de-stress while studying.Â
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Freaks and Geeks
For those of you who are into late 80s-early 90s grunge, this is the show for you. With the theme song “Bad Reputation” and characters played by James Franco, Jason Segal, and Seth Rogen, this show is a badass comedy. Sure, you might be distracted from your work with the good looks of the guys on the show, but this series only has 18 episodes, so you won’t feel bad finishing it in three days (or less). It gives you lots of laugh, and the show has simple plots that don’t require too much participation on your part, since it’s mainly about drugs and growing up in the 90s.
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