Relatable Movies, Series, and Songs to Ease Your College Transition
No matter what I’m experiencing in my life, I always search for entertainment that relates to my situation. If I’m traveling to a cool place, I listen to songs about that place or watch a movie filmed there. If it’s a holiday, I watch all the episodes from my favorite shows about that holiday (think the Friends Thanksgiving episodes!).
So, as I’ve been preparing to move to Nashville and begin my Freshman year at Vanderbilt, I’ve been searching for entertainment that relates to this new experience in my life.
I compiled a list of movies, TV series, and songs about beginning college and starting a new chapter of life. I hope that if you ever are feeling alone or unsure in navigating the start of freshman year, you can turn to some of these fictional stories about people going through the same thing.
Movies
Legally Blonde
- I couldn’t not include this classic film, and even though it’s about starting Law School, we can still relate to Elle Woods’ journey showing up at a new school and working to prove herself. Elle’s ambition and passion for what she does is inspiring and something we can apply to whatever we pursue at Vanderbilt.
The Social Network
- This is a fascinating film about Mark Zuckerberg starting Facebook while at Harvard. There are a lot of good lessons here about success and even what mistakes not to make. It’s cool to watch a true story about ambitious students in a similar environment to Vanderbilt.
Accepted
- Applying to college was a stressful time, and there were a few times I worried if I would even get accepted anywhere! Well, Accepted is all about a kid who whose worst fears came true and got rejected from every single college he applied to. So, he ends up creating his own college and it’s pretty hilarious.
Back to School
- If you are ever feeling upset about your college situation, just know it could be worse: your dad could have enrolled in college alongside you. That’s exactly what happens in this comedy that follows a wealthy businessman father who enrolls in his son’s college.
Sydney White
- This is a fun film all about a girl whose plans to join the top sorority at her college go astray. It has a great message about finding friendships with unexpected people which is something I hope we all experience at Vanderbilt.
TV Series
Gilmore Girls
- Gilmore Girls and main protagonist Rory Gilmore were guideposts throughout my high school journey, and so it was fun to rewatch the episode of Rory moving into college as I do the same! The later seasons follow Rory through her college journey, beginning with Season 5 Episode 7 where she moves into her dorm.
Community
- Community is a comedy about a diverse group of students at a community college. Although the characters are in much different stages of life than most of us here at Vanderbilt, it shows how college can bring people together in amazing ways.
Normal People
- Normal People is a TV series that follows Connell and Marianne through their high school and college years. It highlights how college impacts us personally and introduces us to new people and opportunities.
Felicity
- Felicity is about a girl who leaves home to begin her freshman year of college in New York. She experiences all the ups and downs of friendship, romance, and growing up throughout the series.
Fresh Meat
- This series follows six university housemates who are living away from home for the first time. The characters are all very different, but together they embark on a new journey and experience all the fun and challenges of college.
Songs
There aren’t a ton of songs that are directly about moving into college for freshman year, but I compiled a list of songs that cover themes of growing up, moving away, and beginning a new chapter of life. You should totally add some of these to your playlist for walking around campus this fall!
“Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift
“Changes” by David Bowie
“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
“Don’t Forget To Remember Me” by Carrie Underwood
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
“Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
“Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson
“You’re On Your Own Kid” by Taylor Swift
“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
“Nashville” by David Mead (not about anything to do with starting college but it’s a great song that references Nashville!)
Thanks for reading and I hope that you can turn to some of these entertainment picks as you move in and start life at Vandy! It is an exciting and often overwhelming time, so having entertainment to relate to can provide comfort and remind you that you aren’t alone.