For most, summer means time for Netflix. But you have three months, so you need something that won’t carry over into the busy times of fall semester. It is a time to numb your brain, kick back, and relax. And I have just the shows to do it with.
1. "Awkward" (MTV 2011-2016) Available on Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes, YouTube
Awkward does the most beautiful job of numbing my brain. It follows Jenna, a rather annoying wannabe writer, through her inner monologue as she navigates love and life as a high school—and in the later seasons, college—student. Spanning five seasons, it is the perfect length for a dedicated viewer.
2. "H2O: Just Add Water" (Network 10, 2006-2010) Available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes, YouTube
If five seasons is too long or you’re not into side bangs, check out H2O: Just Add Water. Spanning a measly three seasons, it is the perfect short summer show. Best part? It’s about teenage mermaids AND it’s Australian. It is a beautiful combination of boy drama, Australian accents, late 2000s fashion, and mermaids. Truly majestic.
3. "Dance Academy" (ABC, 2010-2013) Available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes, YouTube
Dance Academy is dripping with drama to fill your boring summer days. Another calm, cool, and collected three-season show, Dance Academy is another deliciously juicy Australian show. It follows Tara Webster, a small-town girl who moves to the big city of Sydney, and her classmates as they compete to be picked up by a national dance company.
4. "Jane By Design" (Freeform, 2012) Available on Amazon Video, iTunes
For our busier bees, Jane By Design is one season. It literally happened so fast I nearly forgot about it. But what I do remember is that it was drama filled and oh-so-fun. High school student Jane Quimby gets a job as a fashion executive’s assistant, but her new boss thinks she’s an adult. Jane can’t lose her dream job, so what does she do? She fakes it. Mix in some boy drama, and you have a high fashion dramatic masterpiece.
5. "The Carrie Diaries" (The CW, 2013-2014) Available on Netflix
Through its short two seasons, The Carrie Diaries follows a pre-Sex-And-The-City teenage Carrie Bradshaw as she juggles her first internship, first boyfriend, and first love—New York City. It is filled with all kinds of drama: job, boy, friend, and family. All set to the iconic tune of the early 80s. What more could you want?