We all know the feeling of Georgetown University’s semester-long midterms taking their toll, leaving us in a sleep-deprived, overly caffeinated, delirious state with a Yerba in hand on Lau 3, pretending that one more Pomodoro timer will fix everything.

I find myself procrastinating constantly, re-watching the same comfort shows for the 10th time, endlessly scrolling through TikTok, sending a million reels (and more specifically, judging those who like certain ones) or online shopping for things that will never leave my cart. Each one of these “breaks” somehow leaves me in emotional turmoil, complaining about how useless I feel and how much work I have left, which of course leaves me with even less time… ironic.

It’s understandable to be stuck in this Georgetown bubble where everyone seems to be doing everything, and you almost feel like this is the entirety of what the world is. Spoiler: it’s not. I know that every time someone takes that fall break weekend away or gets back from Thanksgiving, we all realize that… you know what… this is not it! It’s fine if I didn’t get into a student-run finance club… my life is not going to end (yes, first-world problems!). Anyway, that’s where this need for escape and procrastination stems from, and that’s what we tend to look for in our media consumption. But how can we flip it into something that recharges us instead of draining us?

These ‘doomscrolling’ and ‘addictive’ forms of media tend to entrap you in a hole where it’s hard to get back to doing your work. It’s not a break that lets you truly relax; it’s just something else that sucks you in. When you’re locked in, this is not going to work out well (I’ve seen my fair share of friends get judgmental stares for giggling at reels on Lau 4). So, what can we do when we need a break? Is there such a thing as a break that actually leaves you rested rather than more stressed and guilty? Here’s what works for me.

Shows

Watching shows that motivate you while giving you a breather is the ultimate hack. We all love to binge a new show and get hooked. We all remember the “The Summer I Turned Pretty” phase… I kid you not, my Economics professor spoke about being Team Conrad for 30 minutes of our first class! If this is not a sign that streaming is taking over, then I don’t know what is. Here are some options for shows that give you a laugh or escape, minus the post-binge guilt.

A classic: “Gilmore Girls.” 

You cannot go wrong here. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is your sign. I did the IB Diploma Program in high school, and I swear this show kept me sane during college application season, which, of course, was the same time every major assignment was due.  The small-town charm and cutesy characters add ease and relief to your mind as you watch the show for a bit of calmness in the chaos. The main character, Rory, is ambitious and determined in school, well… until some point in her journey at Yale (stop watching at the end of Season 5, no spoilers, but stop there if you want to stay inspired). And need I say more about Paris Geller? If her character doesn’t motivate you, then I truly don’t know what will.

And well, since we are at Georgetown, how could I miss out on one of the greats? “Suits.” 

For all of the government majors, I’m sure most of you have seen this, and it’s what inspired your pre-law track. And don’t start with all the “it’s not actually how being a lawyer is, it’s so unrealistic!” Ok, it’s television! It’s entertaining and at the same time motivating. “Suits” makes you want to succeed and be the best in anything that you do, even if it’s not in law. You watch Mike Ross memorize an entire textbook, and your brain goes, “Wait, maybe I could do that… but with my problem set.” Well, it’s the thought that counts! These underlying messages and takeaways are exactly why you should watch them. That subconscious push to study or grind harder? Worth it.

“Modern Family.” My absolute favorite comfort show. 

I know it’s not about academics, but it is about perspective, which I think often gets lost in our little bubble. Every episode ends with a warm, funny lesson that pulls you out of the Georgetown grind and reminds you there’s so much more to life than whatever’s on your jam-packed Google Calendar. You’ll always be left laughing and at ease. Also, the episodes are short, which is great for when you just want a guilt-free mini break.

Some Honorable Mentions: “The Diplomat,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Big Bang Theory.”

Movies

Now onto movies for when you want to fully unplug, but not spiral into a 6-hour rom-com rabbit hole that leaves you questioning things beyond class… (and we really do not need any of that right now!). These are for when you want something that leaves you feeling inspired, not just entertained.

“The Theory of Everything”: I love this one because it’s weirdly calming and inspiring at the same time. Disclaimer that it’s not light, but it’s beautiful. A different kind of comfort movie, perhaps, one that makes you think in awe. It makes you feel like you want to do something meaningful, even if that’s just surviving your next midterm. It’s not about romanticizing struggle, but about finding a purpose through it, a little reminder that you’re working towards something, that this is not an end-all be-all, but a vehicle for you to do everything you’re capable of in the future! It’s perfect for when you’re doubting your abilities or need a dose of perspective. It’s emotional, so maybe not the best choice if you’re already on the verge of tears in Lau while Mo is comforting you (if you know, you know), but it definitely re-centers you.

Okay, this one is from back home; it’s a movie in Hindi. Wait! Don’t write it off yet! Trust me, if I could pick any one thing from this article, it would be this. I just mean this in a way that this is a wake-up call, this is for when you feel uninspired and demotivated, it will literally revive your drive, and you can take me up on that. “12th Fail.” Somehow, it’s the most comforting thing ever when you’re spiraling over grades, which we often find ourselves doing every time a Canvas notification pops up. It makes you realize failure isn’t the end and that sometimes the best thing you can do is start again (preferably after a nap). I love this film, especially because of the perspective it gave me. You often don’t realize the privilege you have in your everyday life, and it’s good to be reminded of it; that’s when your thinking changes from procrastinating something you have to do, into something you can’t believe you get to do.

“Dead Poets Society” Let’s end it with a classic! It’s basically the ultimate student movie. It’s emotional, yes, but in the best way (yes, I know this seems like all the movies I listed, but if you’re putting your time into something, it might as well have a meaningful impact, right?). This movie grounds you in the reality of what you are doing at the end of the day. At the verge of a burnout, it makes you care about what you’re learning, why you’re here and all that stuff you’re made to think about in your Philosophy class (don’t worry, without the long readings). Plus, you’ll feel smart while watching it. Sometimes, you just need to be a little bit of a performative Georgetown student in order to be a real one.

Some Honorable Mentions: “The Social Network,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Legally Blonde,” “Mona Lisa Smile.”

& just for some fun… Substack

If you love Pinterest and Spotify (and the Hoya :), I have something perfect to add to your rotation. Substack. There are so many newsletters that feel like a little breather in the middle of chaos, film reviews, creative essays and brain dumps that make this form of doom scrolling all the more genuine.

So yeah, procrastination doesn’t have to be all that bad. It’s all about the kind of break you take. Watching something that actually fills your brain with some joy, inspiration or perspective can be such a reset. 

Next time you’re staring blankly at your notes on Lau 3, just stop. Take a break. A real one. Watch a movie that makes you feel something, laugh at “Modern Family,” or romanticize your studying with “Gilmore Girls.” You’ll come back to your work a little more relaxed and maybe even a little motivated. Or hopefully, at least slightly less distressed…but definitely still over-caffeinated.