College is probably one of the most interesting and fulfilling times in a person’s life. Those who choose to pursue a college education are not only met with challenges but also experiences that shape them into the people that they end up becoming. These experiences are unique to each and every person, manifesting through the activities they do and the friends they make.
However, college can be intimidating. The prospect of having to move away from home and living on your own can be scary for anyone. It pushes us to grow at a faster pace, making us realize things about ourselves that we did not know before. Life at a university is completely different from anything you have experienced and can be daunting to some. Luckily, Hollywood has made ways for you to find out more about the college experience.
Movies depicting college life may be in surplus, but only a few really capture the essence of what it’s like to be a young adult in college. Seeing college life through a film is a good way to find a potential story that you will experience. Here are some of the most interesting movies about college and university.
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Monsters University
This animated film will have you feeling nostalgic about your childhood while making you feel excited about college. While usually seen as a movie for younger people, this is also a great movie to watch if you’re about to go to college. It talks about finding friends on the first day of school, life living on campus, and even fraternities and sororities. It presents a well-rounded message packed neatly in an easy to follow the movie and is a definite must-watch for those who like light-hearted films.
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Revenge of the Nerds
This comedy reveals that college life isn’t that different from high school. It follows the lives of two freshmen who seem to be out of place in their university. This is a great movie to watch to find out about college cliques, frats, and how people who feel out of place blend in a college setting. This movie is perfect for those who always feel like they are black sheep, unable to fit in with the popular kids. With a funny undertone and relatable characters, you’re sure to have a great time watching this movie.
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The Waterboy
Adam Sandler has always been known to be a staple in family comedies, but this movie supplements his comedic prowess with an inspirational undertone. It follows the story of a football waterboy who discovers that he’s actually good at football. It’s a touching and lighthearted story about how you can grow as a person in college. It tackles topics such as relationships, friendships, and how to deal with family while living on your own. It’s an inspiring tale of how one person can grow so much in a short amount of time and is definitely a must-watch for everyone.
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Legally Blonde
While not really set in a college setting, this movie is a good way to have an overview of what life could be like after college. The film follows the story of Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), an outgoing and free-spirited young woman who gets accepted into a prestigious university for law school. Here, she discovers the life of competition, teacher-student relationships, and the lessons of determination. This movie is a great choice to help understand how different university competition is from high school. It also shows how important balancing your priorities is. While being comedic and funny, this movie gives important lessons to anyone aspiring to pursue an education.
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Drumline
If you’re the type to enjoy music and want to join a musical organization in college, this movie is a must-watch for you. This movie shows the other side of collegiate sports, the halftime where musical organizations put on a show to boost their respective teams. Apart from that, it also highlights the differences in college cultures across states. It’s a romantic comedy that shows the life of someone who was placed in a difficult situation and needed to make it work. It is also an inspiring story of how someone proved those who doubted him wrong and is a feel-good movie that you should definitely add to your watch list.
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Old School
This classic shows the fun and entertaining side of college life. It follows the story of two college graduates who decide to open up a frat in their old school. They invite students and show them the life that college is known for: parties, fun, and making memories. It also tackles issues of college students and their political relationship with the school administration. If college parties are something that you are looking forward to, this is definitely a movie that you should consider watching.
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Pitch Perfect
Another musical-centered college film, Pitch Perfect follows the story of the Barden Bellas, an acapella music group of Barden University. In this movie, they discover friendship and sisterhood through unconventional means. Beca (Anna Kendrick), the main character, challenges the conventional and conservative practices of the Barden Bellas and ultimately helps them change for the better. This is a great movie about friendship and finding yourself in groups that you are passionate about. This movie is perfect for those who have a passion for music and want to share it with the world.
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Accepted
Rejected by your dream school? Don’t worry. This movie is perfect for you. This movie follows the story of college rejects who decide to put up their own alternative college in hopes of providing a college education to those who weren’t accepted anywhere else. This movie is a good way to realize that no matter what your interests are, there is always a college out there that is perfect for you.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an incoming college freshman, a college student, or someone who is simply reminiscing about your college day, these movies are the best things to watch at your next movie viewing party. Find inspiration and guidance through watching these great movies.
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