What to watch when…

Freshers’ week is undoubtedly one of the best weeks of the year, but sometimes it can get a bit intense, and everyone needs some downtime. Maybe you feel homesick, or you’re nervous about meeting new people or you’ve been wiped out by fresher’s flu. Where’s a better place to seek comfort than watching TV in your cosy bed? 

What to watch when you’re deathly hungover  

We’ve all overdone Kasbah’s deal on Jägerbombs, and when you’ve been lying in bed all day, regretting that final shot, you get bored. I give you Adults. New to Disney+, Adults is our generation’s Friends. It’s like a televised version of a hangover, with five hot messes all living in the same house and making the worst possible decisions. There’s something nice about watching people about 10 years older than you screw up in the most relatable, but avoidable, ways.  

What to watch when you miss home  

Feeling homesick can be tough, and one of the best ways to overcome it is to watch something familiar. Gilmore Girls is famed for its comforting, autumnal atmosphere, but if you don’t want to sit through all seven seasons then I recommend ‘The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale’. The idea of the iconic mother-daughter duo separating is heart-wrenching, but this episode handles it perfectly and reminds you that home is just a phone call away.  

Opting for a more light-hearted approach, I present Overcompensating. Like Adults, Overcompensating is a weirdly realistic depiction of people in our generation and is genuinely funny. It reminds you of all the best university has to offer, whether it’s making your first friend or going a bit too wild on Halloween.  

What to watch with your friends 

If you’ve got free time or you’ve blown through your monthly budget a bit too quickly, here’s some watches for you and your friends. There’s always the cosy classics like The Great British Bake Off, but maybe you’re looking for something a bit more long-term. Game of Thrones has definitely earnt its popularity over all eight seasons, and it gives you plenty to discuss with the many shocking moments and plot twists. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty has recently taken the internet by storm with the release of its final season. Why not commiserate with your ‘Team Conrad’ friends and freak out over every awful choice Belly makes – there’s also the added bonus of weeding out any friends who might be ‘Team Jeremiah’. 

What to watch when you’re sick in bed 

As a yearly victim of freshers’ flu, I can confirm that it is no joke. Whether you’re someone who loves to wallow in self-pity or you’re just too ill to get out of bed, I’ve got the perfect recommendations. 

Friends is a classic for a reason – there’s something comforting about it and you can happily zone out without missing major plot points, which makes it the perfect watch when you’re too ill to think. There are even some episodes devoted to the characters suffering from their own colds, like ‘The One with Rachel’s Sister’.  

If wallowing in bed does nothing for you, try The Sopranos. Everyone is definitely having a much worse day than you and it gives you a nice bit of perspective on your current situation. If you’ve seen it, then The Wire will get the job done too – whilst they focus on different sides of the law, both are addictive and entertaining. 

Hopefully this list has you covered for any situation you find yourself in this Fresher’s week – and remember, when in doubt you can always turn to television.