From screen to study: What to watch when you’re lacking motivation

Okay. We’re well into Term one. The honeymoon phase is over. The anticipation for Halloweekend has dissipated and you’re lucky if you wake up before sunset. Chances are that you’re behind on some work, have a couple of essay deadlines peeking at you menacingly from around the corner, and lectures are starting to look increasingly skippable.

So what now? Do you resort to longingly strolling the seasonal Christmas aisle at Tesco, only to remember that you’re on a student budget? Or do you listen to us, with all the authority we have as the TV section of a University publication?

If your aim is to get out of the rut, and the endless cycle of anticipation followed by disappointment, then the latter is the choice for you.

To end this term with a bang, you have got to surround yourself with things that motivate you to study. It could be small, like getting a diffuser with a refreshing scent, a lamp with warm lighting, or it could be something life-altering, like starting a new, motivating show.

And that’s where I come in!

Never Have I Ever shows us a modern tale of resilience

Never Have I Ever

Either you’ve never heard of it, or you’ve forgotten all about it. Never Have I Ever is a show centred around embarrassing mistakes, crushing grief, and the layers of one’s identity. Of course, it’s also about Devi, an average teen girl torn between two (or three, or four) boys. So, while the vibrancy and light-heartedness of the show can provide a relieving contrast to the gloomy, grey atmosphere outside, it can also be the perfect motivator for your studying.

Above all, this show is about bouncing back from impossible situations, whether it be the death of a loved one or just good old-fashioned social humiliation. Never Have I Ever shows us a modern tale of resilience, and how no matter what she went through, Devi stood by her one true goal: getting into her dream university.

Atypical

A bit of an unconventional pick, sure, but a great motivator nonetheless. This show is massively underrated for what it is: all about testing your limits and escaping the confines of your comfort zone. Atypical is a lot of things – a family drama, an accurate depiction of sexual confusion, and the struggles of holding your loved ones accountable. But one theme ties it all together: perseverance.

They can help remind you of what made you do your course in the first place

Our main character, Sam, is neurodivergent and struggles with things that come easily to most people. Still, he perseveres through challenges like his first Socratic seminar at college or dealing with the logistical difficulties in pursuing his passion. His sister, Casey, is also a great example of perseverance. We see her balance the most rigorous school curriculum alongside pursuing her passion for track. We see her burn out, get back on track (pun intended), and question all her decisions.

Both these characters are relatable to all university students in one way or another, and they can help remind you of what made you do your course in the first place, motivating you to keep going.

Schitt’s Creek

If you’re familiar with the premise of Schitt’s Creek, you might be wondering how it plays into study motivation. On the one hand, you have a satirical sitcom mocking the uber rich, and on the other, you have you lying in bed trying not to think about Moodle. Well, let me show you the connection.

It reminds us that even seemingly minor accomplishments can themselves mean more than we could possibly attribute to them

While we see a lot in this show primarily related to the once-wealthy Rose family having to adjust to a run-of-the-mill small-town life, we also see that it’s never too late to learn something new. One of the main characters, Alexis Rose, a former spoiled brat with no shortage of money to waste, takes the brave step to finish high school in her 30s. She joins a community school and proceeds to start her own business, after taking a while to find her passion.

It’s inspiring to see someone having everything taken away from them, thinking it was past their time to do something big. It reminds us that even seemingly minor accomplishments themselves can mean more than we could possibly attribute to them. So do it. Watch Schitt’s Creek, laugh, maybe finish that tiny quiz on Moodle, and be grateful that you decided to show up for your academic future.