As finals are quickly approaching and students are buckling down on their studies, you may need something to ease your mind and give you a relaxing night. For me, I enjoy ending the night watching Netflix; however, it can sometimes be hard to find a good show to watch since there are just so many available. It is safe to say I have spent lots of hours on Netflix within the last eight months or so, and I have some good recommendations for you. You can watch these shows with your friends, family, or even by yourself.
- In the Dark
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In the Dark is a dramedy that premiered on the CW in 2019. Starring Perry Mattfeld, the show follows her character, Murphy, as she navigates her life being blind and losing a loved one. This show is great because it shows life from the perspective of a blind person in a way that many people do not understand. It has a criminal mind’s twist but will still leave you laughing and wanting more. There are currently two seasons available, and the third season is set to start filming this month.
- Dawson’s Creek
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Dawson’s Creek, yes, the show that came out in the ’90s, is officially on Netflix. Now, I had heard a lot about this show through my parents as it was one of their favorite shows when it first aired, and my dad told me I just had to watch it. The show follows a group of high school friends as they experience the struggles of growing up: sex, relationships, getting out of their small town. It has a One Tree Hill vibe to it, and Katie Holmes is beautiful in it. I have not finished this one, but I did watch the first season in a day, so it is highly recommended by me. Plus, the soundtrack is phenomenal.
- The Vampire Diaries
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A popular show most people have heard of, running from 2009-2017, The Vampire Diaries is iconic. I just finished re-watching this one, and it hits different each time. The show is not just about vampires, although that is the main theme. It is also about learning how to deal with new situations, the loss of loved ones, and growing into the person you are meant to become. This show has lots of drama, another fantastic soundtrack, and I mean, who wouldn’t want to stare at Ian Somerhalder on their TV. This is a show that I could even get my guy friends to watch, and they enjoyed it just as much as me.
- American Murder: The Family Next Door
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Although this is not a TV show, it is the perfect documentary to watch for a night of crime-solving with friends. This documentary is filmed entirely through police body cams and videos that the wife had posted on Facebook. There are no actors, just real-time videos and evidence from the case. I enjoyed watching this because I remember hearing about this story on the news. It was very interesting to watch the scenes play out with the real people involved and all their real reactions.
- Too Hot to Handle
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If you enjoy reality tv, this one is for you. This is a show that I started watching with my friend while her boyfriend and his friend were playing videogames. The boys got so invested in it that they turned off the videogames to watch it. With only one season, it follows a group of the “hottest” singles as they gather on an island,  thinking they are up for a good time. The characters, however, end up not being able to have any physical interaction with one another. Watch as the group tries their best to win the prize money and find out if they can manage a summer on an island with no sex.
So, as the holidays approach and you feel in need of some time for yourself, watch one of these shows. These are perfect for binge-watching or having on in the background while you do schoolwork. Netflix knew what they were doing when they added these.