Our college years are some of the most unforgettable, iconic years of our lives. It should come as no surprise that this epic era of new experiences, self-discovery, and independence are so often celebrated in the movies and TV we enjoy. Nostalgia for, or the celebration of, the period immediately after our high school years is a common theme for many of the most popular movies in our society. Watching these films is a great way to connect back to the times of our lives when we first embarked on the journey that is college.
For those who have yet to begin their university experience, the more pressing question may be to figure out how to create a university experience like those in the movies. With there being so many TV shows and movies that celebrate the independence and excitement of our college years, it hardly comes as a surprise that many students are eager to recreate the university experience that they’ve encountered in the media.
The first step toward reaching the iconic student life seen in the media is to get accepted to the college of your dreams. There are many different types of college experiences, and young people should make sure to aim for the university most likely to offer them what they seek. Writing a personal statement is the first step along this process of finding the college that’s right for you and is the first of many important writing assignments that you will have to complete for university.
In order to make the most of the college environment, it’s important not to get bogged down by large amounts of schoolwork. Many students make use of APA paper writing services that are available online in order to make sure their writing is up to university standards and to save time that can then be spent on squeezing the most out of school life. Get inspired for your college years with this collection of five of the top movies about student life.
1. The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network, first released in 2010, was written by Aaron Sorkin, directed by David Fincher, and tells the true story of how a group of boys at Harvard ended up founding the social media behemoth Facebook. Featuring a host of Hollywood icons, the movie stars Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and the film stars Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield and Armie Hammer in supporting roles. The film depicts the hectic lives lived by these incredibly talented and smart Ivy League hopefuls, as well as the series of complications their actions lead to. Fincher’s film goes to lengths to point out how small actions taken in school dorms can end up irreversibly changing the entire world.
2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting is a 1997 classic drama that tells the tale of two boys who go through two very different, yet inspiring journeys while they are learning at college. Now also remembered as the film that brought actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to the attention of Hollywood, the two emerging actors played opposite the legendary Robin Williams in this Oscar winning college movie. Damon plays a quiet janitor who comes to realize that he is a math genius. This tale of an outcast genius and his maths student friend as they work hard for their education is sure to inspire anyone walking into a college classroom for the first time.
3. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
This 1978 classic is a comedy about the absurd hijinks of two fraternities as they go head to head in a battle of college politics. Made by the National Lampoon magazine collective based on stories that appeared in their publication, it is notable for being actor John Belushi’s first film role following his famous run on Saturday Night Live. One fraternity is a bunch of misfits, & the other are a collection of cookie cutter middle class yuppies, this film is full of laughs and paints an entertaining caricature of the more absurd elements of student life.
4. Old School (2003)
Old School is another film that chooses to focus on the comedy inherent in our college days, as opposed to the drama. This film, which stars comedy legends Will Ferell, Vince Vaughn, and Luke Wilson, dives into the nostalgia we feel for our school days & the hilarious ways we find to deal with the fact that we are no longer students. The characters in the movie decide that the perfect way to deal with moving on from college life is to set up a fraternity next to their old campus. The news of their arrival kicks off a series of wacky adventures, and the film sheds light on the complications of the period after studying is over, as well as highlighting the ridiculousness of party culture on campuses.
5. Whiplash (2014)
Whiplash, which first graced the screen in 2014, is a psychological drama about an intense student - professor relationship and how a passionate education can push people to the brink. Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in the lead roles, this film offers a more serious take on education and the perils of over-ambition and perfectionism. Having garnered much critical acclaim following its release, Whiplash is a must-watch film about the act of learning.
These are just five of the top films that dive into learning, college life, and this uniquely nostalgic period of our life. However, this is a theme that has been covered in countless TV shows and movies, and it offers a wealth of material to explore, reflect on, and enjoy.