Sacred Heart University (SHU) students are unwinding through their favorite TV shows, music and movies. From newly released drama series to chart-topping student favorites, there is a unique blend of media people are enjoying this fall.
November is a fast-paced and sometimes stressful month for students. Midterms, schedule registration and holidays make for a jam-packed and perhaps mentally draining month.
Streaming services are capturing students’ attention: A look at the apps they’re tuning into this fall.
However, students still manage to carve out time to relax and enjoy their preferred media. To accomodate her busy schedule, sophomore Snezhana Krylova has a few go-to shows that she can rotate through during the school year. One of her favorites, “Cranberry Sorbet,” is a 2022 drama TV series.
With three seasons and plenty of drama, “Cranberry Sorbet” is a Turkish drama that follows the complicated relationships between two families. As a foreign exchange student from Russia, the series provides Krylova with a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
“Since I’m so far from my family, at least I can feel some kind of family atmosphere when they are talking, arguing and solving problems,” said Krylova. “As the temperature drops and days go shorter, most of the time I turn to nostalgic or cozy content that evokes feelings of warmth and comfort.”
Scene from episode one of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez
Story.”
After living in the United States for two years, the show is a way for her to feel connected to home.
What’s cozier than snuggling up with your favorite series in the fall? TV shows are a common way students choose to relax in their free time. However, not all binge-worthy shows are warm and fuzzy. Many students at SHU enjoy the thrill of suspense, captivating drama, or the chilling nature of true crime.
On Sept. 19, the second series of the biographical crime drama series “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” was released. “Monsters: the Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is part of the popular Netflix anthology series. It is centered around the 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez, who were murdered by their sons.
Sophomore Aimee Cheatum prefers movies over TV shows but took interest in the Netflix crime series. “You really have to get into it in order to fully understand it,” said Cheatum.
Despite her interest in “Monsters,” Cheatum’s heart lies with the science fiction horror series “Stranger Things.” “National Stranger Things Day” is held on Nov. 6 to commemorate the date of when one of the lead characters, Will Byers, went missing.
In honor of the occasion, Netflix released the episode titles of the show’s pending fifth season. Cheatum celebrated by rewatching the series. “It’s the show that you think about when you think about creepy vibes,” said Cheatum.
According to Netflix, “Stranger Things” season four is the second most-watched show as of November.
“I remember season two came out right before Halloween,” Cheatum said. “I literally skipped a field trip to go watch it; it was my Halloween.”
Although students’ taste in media varies, many have one thing in common this month: the presidential election.
Like many other SHU students, senior Daniel Abate said that he has little time to focus on movies and TV shows. Although schoolwork is his top priority, he’s still found time to keep up with the election, “I feel like I’ve watched and listened to a lot of political stuff lately due to my interest in the election,” said Abate.
SHU students may be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the last leg of the fall semester, but they make it a point to stay informed and, in fact, care a great deal about the future of their country.
According to Nielsen Media Research, on Nov. 5, 42.3 million viewers tuned in to watch coverage of the presidential election, spanning over 18 TV networks.
Whether it is a familiar watch or catching up on current events, SHU students consume media in a variety of ways.
