Gilmore Girls
One of the biggest challenges when starting college is finding a balance between one’s social life and schoolwork. Once your new relationships are established and you are wrapped up in having fun, it can be like pulling teeth to get yourself to sit down and do your homework. Pretending to be Rory Gilmore in her first year at Yale is one of the most effective ways I motivate myself. Curling up on a fall day with a cup of coffee and a textbook is a fantastic way to romanticize work that may seem less than exciting.
Monster’s University
This is a movie I watched on my first night at college as a source of comfort. The Monster’s Inc. prequel is a classic family movie that always makes me laugh. While watching, I was surprisingly inspired by little Mike Wazowski and his journey with his sense of belonging. Like many of us, he had a tough time recognizing his value and finding the right place for himself until he put himself out there and found people who wanted to encourage him.
Accepted
In this movie, a young man rejected from every college decides to create his own university. At points, this movie may seem silly. But there is an important message to be heard which is that we are all extremely privileged to receive an education. Of course, no one is grateful all the time. Occasionally, school can feel like a chore, but at the end of the day, we should be excited about the endless opportunities that come with an education.
Community
As humans, we are constantly making judgments whether we intend to or not. We must evaluate our surroundings; it is how we survive. However, sometimes we make snap judgments about other people based on trivial things like the clothes they wear. In the show Community, one student finds that some of the most unlikely relationships can lead to the best friendships. The cliché, never judge a book by its cover, is said for a reason. College is a remarkably diverse environment, and we should embrace that by forming relationships with people we never thought we would be able to relate to.
Legally Blonde
This infamous movie is a tribute to all women; it tells us that we can do whatever we put our minds to, and we can do it with style and grace. This is true, but there is a deeper truth to be seen that applies to all people. Beyond Elle’s journey are the relationships she forms that show us that it is never too late to take your life in a different direction. For example, when Elle meets Paulette, an older woman in a toxic relationship, she helps her leave and find a better life. Change can be scary but should never be too proud or too scared of becoming who we feel we are meant to be.