Top 5

THEMED STUDY MUSIC

As someone who loves to romanticize life, I have come to absolutely adore vibey YouTube background music for all occasions. I had “you’re following the mysterious student who is sneaking out of the dormitories (dark academia)” by user oliviaalee on repeat when I was reading a mystery series last year, and I am actually writing and listening to “dark academic playlist to read/study in your room” by user nobody right now. Nemo’s Dreamscapes is my favorite channel if I am not in the mood for classical music, and my first vibey playlist subscription. This user specializes in the “oldies playing in another room” vibe. Sometimes it is a train, a seaside cabin, or just crickets and rainfall outside a window, but, for some unknown reason, I always get so much done when those oldies are playing. Nemo’s Dreamscapes should be printed on my degree at this point. Cannot recommend romanticizing study vibes enough, as it really improves my productivity.

- CRISTINA FORMICHELLI

One of my favorite shows of all time is “Schitt’s Creek”. The show has six seasons, and with episodes that are typically around 20 minutes long, it is a great show to binge watch. “Schitt’s Creek” takes on the story of a rich, high-profile family who has recently lost all of their money in a bad business deal. The family is left with only one asset after the financial issue: a town that they had purchased as a joke called Schitt’s Creek. The show follows the family as they adjust to the culture shock of moving to a town in a very rural area, which was far from their definition of normal. The family has to relearn the way that they navigate life and relationships, and they meet some incredible people in the town. One of my favorite things about this show is the way that the story excludes the stigma around the LGBTQ+ community. They wrote this show in a “homophobia-free world,” which was super refreshing and beautiful to see. The show really emphasizes the importance of relationships and the value of being with the people you love. It truly is a must-watch for anyone who loves heartfelt comedy.

- CORRIN SWITZER

Getting into a television series has always been somewhat difficult for me. It is rare that I find a show that I fall in love with, but recently this has changed with my discovery of “One Tree Hill”. I know I am late to the party, but I guess it is better late than never. Almost everyone I know has watched this, but I guess I never gave it a chance because it concluded with its ninth and final season in 2012, when I was only about 10 years old. “One Tree Hill” has something for everyone, and I think that is why I have such an attachment to it. The storyline has aspects of sports, high school drama, music, and even parent plot and storylines as well. Most television today has been heightened to an extent that is unreliable in a realistic setting, but not this show, and I believe that is why it has been such a success and is still talked about today. “One Tree Hill” is a breath of fresh air and will most definitely always continue to be a show I turn to when I need comfort. As Karen’s Cafe from the show states, “Someone told me this is the place where everything’s better and everything’s safe.”

- HUNTER GIBSON

MIDI SKIRTS

If I could only choose one article of clothing as a staple for this spring, I would choose midi skirts. I have been obsessed with them since the early 2000s when they were more boho-inspired and hung loosely around the body. Now, midi skirts tend to be closer to the body to show off the figure more and I love them just the same. Whether a solid neutral color or a simple floral pattern, these skirts are easy to dress up (Can you say kitten heels/blouse/ statement handbag) and dress down (sneakers/graphic tee/gold hoops?) They are an essential piece for my spring wardrobe and should be for yours as well.

- MIA WALSH

One of my favorite shows at the moment is “Sex Education”. The show currently has three seasons, and it all starts with high school students who are trying to figure out themselves and their awkward sex lives. When students find out that Otis Milburn’s mother is a sex therapist, they begin to go to him for help, which then starts an underground “sex therapy” clinic. I cannot help but love all the characters; each of them has their own key personality traits that pull the whole plot together. They do not hold back in the show at all; showing graphic scenes and telling the unfiltered truth is always expected as you watch. This British comedydrama beautifully incorporates diversity and inclusion as they bring up difficult topics. The transparency of each character and their individual hardships makes the show more relatable; they are human and they are going to mess up. This show may be hard to watch at first because of the “raunchy” scenes, but it is worth trying to watch this series, as each episode brings important messages about sex, gender, identity, and growing up.

- SAMANTHA KRUSE