After a long day of working hard at school, students want to come home to relax and enjoy their favorite show. A show that never fails to make them happy, otherwise known as a binge-worthy show. A show that you can sit and watch all day without getting bored. After hours, the sun has gone down and all of a sudden they realize that they forgot to do their homework and it’s almost midnight. More than five episodes have gone by and it only felt like you just sat down to watch the show. Whether this show is Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy, or Pretty Little Liars, students love to stay in the comfort of familiar shows.
One question many may ask is why? Why do students tend to like these specific shows more than others? Krishni Palaniappan, a K-drama lover, needs her relaxation time at the end of the day. After doing archery for hours, and then coming home to do homework, it seems like she gets no break. Doing all that for no reward at the end of the day? What’s the point? So she rewards herself with different shows, from Bloodhounds to Weak Hero 1, that, according to her, has her losing track of time quickly. “They make me happy after a long day of doing work,” said Palaniappan.
How much time do students really spend watching TV daily? Walker McCaleb, a sophomore, loves to watch TV any time of the day. Her favorite shows are The 100, Grey’s Anatomy, and Supernatural. Losing track of time? One of her superpowers. McCaleb will get so lost in a show that most days she forgets about her homework. Especially when it comes to the 100, no one can stop her. “I have watched two seasons in just four days,” said McCaleb
The last reason students may want to binge-watch a show would be the social aspect. The connections that watching the same shows bring. Talking to friends after the unexpected plot twist happened. Or after two people you never expected, get together. Which couples are the best and which are the worst? Which characters should be kicked off and which ones should not have left? Scarlet Kirkland, who watched 4 episodes of Vampire Diaries last night, looks up the show on TikTok to see what happens or to hear the opinions of others. “I love watching edits on TikTok,” said Kirkland
Binge-watching is the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television program in rapid succession. In recent years, it has become more than just unwinding after a long day. It is an escape from reality or time for the students to spend on their own. It also provides a connection with others over the internet or with friends and family, talking about the best and worst parts. Ultimately, binge-watching has become an important part of students’ lives, providing them with both a retreat and a sense of community.
