Jersey Shore made its’ debut to television several years ago. At the time, I was a young middle school student who didn’t understand the true gem of 2000 comedic reality television. Looking back, Jersey Shore was more than just a television show showing twenty-something year olds make dumb choices, but actually taught us life lessons along the way.

• 1) The Importance of Travelling with Your Friends

The Jersey Shore kids started on the beaches in Seaside Heights but eventually went to Miami and even Italy. The adventures they experienced in areas other than their native territory were captured on cameras, as the cast and viewers were able to adapt to the different environments. Viewers (including me) looked forward to partaking in trips with their friends, in the pursuit of a bonding and fun friendship.

• 2) The 3 Keys to Life: GTL

Gym, Tan, Laundry were the essential daily tasks of the Shore kids. Though their routines seemed excessive in tanning to ridiculous shades of bronze and spending hours working out, many teens and young adults now live by this motto, by keeping fit, washing their clothes, and keeping up their summer glow.

• 3) Keeping Your Friends Close

Whether you were a Paulie-Vinny or Snooki-JWOWW supporter, fans recognized that the pairs of best friends were better together than on their own. The show focused on their relationships as they were inseparable and did everything (including GTL) together. It was every viewer’s dream to have a friendship like one of the iconic pairs.

• 4) Family Value

Despite being away from home, the cast maintained the typical Italian lifestyle of elaborate family dinners when everyone was present, no matter what. Everyone helped either cooking or cleaning, appreciating the work that went into the home cooked meal. This tradition inspired college kids as they took on their own versions with their roommates, instead of relying on dining hall or delivery.

• 5) Community, Community, Community

From Seaside Heights to Italy, the community had a vast impact on the cast’s lifestyle. Their appreciation for the people, food, employment opportunities and culture. Though it seemed that the cast partied for most of their time on the show, viewers witnessed the emotional connection that each Shore kid developed throughout the six seasons. We watched and cried with the cast, knowing that the show wouldn’t have been the same without the great communities backing their support.