Despite the fact that adults say your teenage years are “the best years of your life,” most people presently in their teens usually feel the exact opposite. Thankfully, there’s a few things that can get you past the tough times of adolescence; a time of tests, stress, trying to find where you belong, and figuring out your daunting future. While I relied mostly on books in middle school, in high school, I started relying on my friends, and of course television. Here’s a couple of shows that’ll help during the struggle of growing up, whether you’re an awkward thirteen-year-old or a stressed out nineteen-year-old, like myself.

13. “Bates Motel”

This prequel to one of the greatest thrillers ever made, “Psycho,” follows teenager Norman Bates before the iconic shower scene. At first, you can hardly see the resemblance between this boy who just wants to be normal and fit in (despite his weirdly close relationship with his mother), and the crazy slasher from Hitchcock’s famous film. However, as the show progresses, you can see how Norman starts to spiral into madness. Overall, it's entertaining to watch, despite knowing the end. What you don't know while watching "Psycho" is exactly how Norman becomes a knife-wielding version of his mother.

12. “American Horror Story”

Probably better for those 16 and over, “American Horror Story” is for those looking to escape reality for a little while, and self-identify as somewhat twisted. It's also for those not-faint-of-heart when it comes to blood and gore. Tate and Violet might not be the best teenagers to take advice from, but they are pretty good examples of what not to do when going through a crisis. Another great thing about “American Horror Story” is that the show changes with every season, it keeps things exciting. From a house filled with ghosts, to an insane asylum, a sort of school for witches, a demented circus, and a more-than-just-creepy hotel. If normal people scare you, this bloody series is made for you. Every episode will have you asking "WTH?" Which is great practice since being a teenager is just one big "WTH?"

11. “Grey’s Anatomy”

This series definitely belongs higher up on the list, but I refrain from doing so due to the fact that I can’t fully judge since I’m nowhere near finishing the series yet. Don’t judge me, the show premiered in 2005 and is still going, I need time! “Grey’s Anatomy” is most definitely one of the most tear-jerking shows on the list. It sucks getting attached to the patients that go through Seattle Grace Hospital knowing there’s a big chance they won’t make it. Following Meredith Grey’s life is great for teenagers to watch because at the start of the show Meredith and her fellow interns are completely lost trying to navigate life as a potential surgeon. What better word for adolescence than "lost?" Had I watched this show when I was younger, I probably would’ve talked myself into believing I could be a doctor.

10. “Dance Academy”

Okay, bear with me. This Australian drama may seem a bit cheesy, and more suited for 13 year olds, but I tuned in when I was around sixteen and at first, the show just surrounded the main character, Tara, who seemed like the most whiny and boy-crazy girl ever. With time, the show grew to be way more than Tara fighting for a cute boy’s attention, and arguing with the resident mean girl. Slowly, the television series became more of an ensemble cast, with every character getting their chance to narrate episodes, and explore issues like sexuality, religion, disability, eating disorders and depression. Of course, the dancing was amazing, and the passion that each character had for the art was inspiring. I cried a lot watching what some would call a stupid teenage drama.

9. “Teen Wolf”

While, this show may not be in my top five quality wise, it definitely is one of the closest to my heart. Yes, it’s a show about a teenage werewolf. But, I literally grew up with this TV show. I started watching when I was 13 years old and I’m still watching six years later. The first season is one of the most campy storylines I have ever watched, following Scott Mccall, who is somewhat of a “loser,” and his already bleak high school life gets even more challenging when he’s bitten by a werewolf. Not to mention his love interest, Allison, (SPOILER ALERT) belongs to a family of werewolf hunters. As the seasons go on, storylines and villains get way darker, and the main characters become way more dynamic. Scott’s best friend, Stiles, who was originally a comedic relief type character, goes on to struggle with mental illness, adding some needed depth to his character. Meanwhile, Lydia, the most beautiful and popular girl in school, who also happens to be a genius, deals with trauma. This show is more twisted than one would expect, but after all, it was created by the same man who thought up “Criminal Minds.” As for Scott McCall, he’s probably one the most moral and strong characters to ever grace a show about homicidal supernatural creatures.

8. “How To Get Away With Murder”

I didn’t expect to love this show as much as I did. I mean, how are the lives of five kids in law school interesting at all? Just kidding! They're extremely interesting - Especially when they have to cover up murders all of the time. The pacing of this show automatically drags you in with its constant flash-forwards, and plots that are bound to throw you for a loop. No matter who you are, you can identify with one of the Keating Five. Whether you’re an ambitious go getter like Michaela and Connor, a quiet underdog like Wes and Laurel or spoiled goofy rich kid like Asher. During a time when so many search for belonging, this show gives them just that. And who wouldn’t aspire to be as badass as Annalise Keating during their hopeful teenage years?

7. “Degrassi: The Next Generation”

Known as the show that “goes there,” Degrassi is the go-to guide for teenage life. If the name JT Yorke doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, you need to watch this spin off of the 80’s Canadian drama, ASAP. This series is long, and while it usually repeats storylines (cut them some slack, the show had 14 seasons), it always puts a different spin on the current issues teens faced at that time. It does this, all while coming off as entertaining and natural, not like cautionary tales you watch in a high school auditorium. The theme song is iconic, and why wouldn’t you want to watch a young Drake play naive Jimmy Brooks?

6. “Parks and Recreation”

This is the perfect thing for a moody teenager, because its only one of the most cheerful and upbeat television shows ever! It’s hard not to find a character a teenager would relate to when there’s a dreamer like Leslie, the apathetic April, and slightly delusional, but motivated Tom, nerdy Ben and rest of the "Parks and Rec" gang. I’m pretty sure every teenager has felt like a Jerry at least once in their life. The female-centric comedy can lift even the most hormonal kids’ spirits, and inspire the feminist in all of us. Everyone must learn how to treat yo self!

5. “The Office”

This show is proof that people don’t ever truly “grow up”. These “adults” act more like children than actual children. It’s comforting to feel like even in a stage of life where you have to be “professional,” you can still play pranks and have silly parties for no real reason, i.e: high school.

4. “My Mad Fat Diary”

If you’ve ever had any kind of insecurity, or felt like no one wants you around, especially during your teen years, this is the show for you. This British drama set in the 90s is in one word: powerful. The television show follows Rae, a former psychiatric patient who dealt with self-harming problems. Although the topic may sound heavy (and it is), Rae is actually super relatable. Even though Rae’s faced this huge mental breakdown, she focuses on typical teenage girl problems, such as gaining the attention of a seemingly out of her league crush, resenting her beautiful, social butterfly of a best friend, fighting with her mother and trying to fit into the “gang." She does this all while going to therapy, and learning how to deal with her weight and social problems. This is one of the most heartfelt shows I’ve watched.

3. "One Tree Hill"

I binge watched all nine seasons of “One Tree Hill” during my first semester at college. And not to be melodramatic, but it changed my life. The strongest part of the show is the characters. Even small side characters played the biggest roles, which I know is kind of an oxymoron, but its true. At times, it felt like a teenage soap opera with multiple hospital visits, comas, and love triangles. Nevertheless, this show developed it's characters so tremendously, especially Brooke Davis, who went from the overly-sexualized, mean girl to an insecure broken-hearted teenager, to fashion mogul and then to absolute badass. Yeah, some storylines were seriously ridiculous, like Pete Wentz dating a main character, and a dog eating a guy’s heart. But, it was truly an experience, and I felt as if I had grown up with these characters. The school shooter episode was the biggest plot twist I’ve ever witnessed. And aside from Cory and Topanga, Nathan and Haley were the best, most stable and loving TV couple ever. The “One Tree Hill” high school graduation episode made me cry more than my actual high school graduation. The characters go through so many changes from high school to adulthood, it’ll give anyone hope that they can completely turn their lives around in the span of a couple of years.

2. “Sense8”

This Netflix original didn’t even feel like a television show, it was more like a really long and intense movie. Which I guess you can expect when it was produced by the same people who made “The Matrix." One of the best parts of this series is the diversity in sexuality, gender, race and culture. Not to mention, even if you have picky tastes in shows, this show will somehow suit your fancy. “Sense8” is genuinely an original work of art with stunning cinematography, a stimulating storyline and characters you’ll fall in love with in a heartbeat. It’s great for teenagers because, in a way watching the relationships formed between these characters who are so different and far away from each other will make you feel like you’re never really alone.

1. “Skins” (U.K.)

When I finished watching all seven seasons of this British drama while I was in 10th grade, I felt as though I had experienced something magical. It’s hard to even put into words. My first assumptions about “Skins” was that it was nothing but kids having sex and doing drugs, but boy was I wrong. Yes, there was a lot of sex and drugs, but each character was so poignant and full of depth, that it had you forgetting about the constant partying because whenever the character got home they each had struggles and family dilemmas to face. The fact that each episode centered around one particular character gave you time to truly understand why people are the way they are. This series had the most depressing and tragic endings of all time, and while it doesn’t do the best job at cheering you up, it does make you feel understood. I liked that the ending was depressing and nothing was resolved because it exemplifies life. Not everyone gets a happy ending and things don’t always work out, but you can live for the beautiful moments in between.