When I first arrived at UC Berkeley as a transfer student, I often felt overwhelmed by the drastic change college life introduced me to. I was away from the routine I was so used to back home and met with the culture that is university life. What I found comforted my roommates and me the most was sitting on our couch after a long day at school and indulging in alternate worlds behind our television screen.

With that being said, these are the shows I found provided me the most comfort throughout my first year at UC Berkeley — and I hope they could do the same for anyone seeking similar solace.

“The Great British Bake Off” (Netflix)

Every night after a heavy day of lectures and studies, my roommate would come home and dedicate a few minutes of her time to “The Great British Baking Show.” Every so often, I would join her on the coziness of our couch and watch the competition unfold before me. It was a wholesome few minutes of our day — a moment to relax and unwind to a light and calming show after a typically fast-paced day at UC Berkeley. 

Not only did the show subside anxieties and stresses, but it also provided a sense of bonding between my roommate and me as we would sit together and comment on the pastries the bakers would make. Overall, I owe a lot to this gentle little baking show.

“Gilmore Girls” (Netflix)

“Gilmore Girls” was the perfect comfort for me in college. Watching one of the main characters, Rory, grow up and go to college provided me with a narrative I could relate to. Especially with how much I missed my mom during my time away at UC Berkeley, I found that the mother-daughter portrayal in the show reminded me so much of her. It filled the slight emptiness I felt being without her, and she actually began watching the show along with me as well.

It connected my mother and me while I was away, making my first year at college a bit easier.

“The Sex Lives of College Girls” (HBO Max) 

What I found about “The Sex Live of College Girls” is that it was possibly the most relatable I felt with a show about — well — the sex lives of college girls. Although the show had its fair share of “millennial creator trying to appeal to Gen Z” moments, I still found it quite relatable. It was nice to watch a comedic reflection of what I was experiencing during my first year in college.

The show was more than just a funny showcase of college girls; it also expressed multiple themes about sexuality, relationships and traumas of new young adulthood. It was a great show that perfectly demonstrated this chapter in my life, and it’s fun to watch with friends going through the same thing.

“Girls” (HBO Max)

As opposed to “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “Girls” gave me a window into what life after college could look like. It normalized things such as struggling with finding a career after graduating and scrambling to adapt to true adulthood. “Girls” showed me that not having my stuff together after college is okay and that most people don’t know what they’re doing even into adulthood. 

As a junior already anticipating graduation, I felt I had to have everything prepared and aligned for life after college. This show was a great way to ease those anxieties during my first year and was another great show my roommate and I would watch together during our free time, further bonding us.

Whether you’re an incoming freshman or transfer student, your first year at a new college can be overwhelming. It’s comforting to have something you can relate or relax to during this drastic change in environment. These shows provided me with the best forms of relief and community during this time, and I hope they can offer the same for other incoming students.