As the 2024 fall semester begins, Concordia University students are streaming their favorite shows, finding both comfort and thrills in varying series that reflect their interests and personalities. Kaila Kupihea, a junior and Communications Marketing major, said, “I like to watch throwback shows like ‘Vampire Diaries’ or ‘Pretty Little Liars.’” Kupihea added,“Cliffhangers? Love them. I love something that always keeps me guessing so that I keep watching.”                                                                                                      

“Vampire Diaries” followed the life of a teenage girl who falls in love with two vampires. The love triangle alone had the audience of the show hooked, not to mention the constant mystery of disappearing people. “Pretty Little Liars” follows a group of friends trying to figure out who is stalking them and who is murdering the people in their town. Both the shows are found on Netflix, which is the top ranked streaming service in 2024.            

 Kupihea said that her taste in shows comes from her mom, “When I was little we’d always watch shows or movies together.” However, finding time to watch shows as a student can be difficult. With the impending due date over your head and the plethora of learning material to read and memorize there is little time to unwind and relax. Kupihea said, “I’d like to go straight to my show to relax, normally after 10 p.m.”                                                                                                                        

Kalihan Reece, a junior majoring in Communication Studies finds herself captivated by the popular show, “The Bachelor.” Reece said, “I watched it at night, very late, too late.” The Bachelor, streamed on Hulu, is known for its drama and cliffhangers which keeps their audience on the edge of their seats until the next episode comes out. At the end of each episode, audiences are kept in the dark as to who the Bachelor will pick and who he will eliminate out of the 20-30 women vying for his love. Reece added that, "I look for something that makes me keep watching, like they leave me on a little cliffhanger.”                           

Haku Dudoit, a senior transfer from Maui  majoring in Communication Studies said, “I watch shows during the day, when I am done with class and before baseball practice.” Dudoit’s favorite show is an action filled series found on Netflix called “Fire Country.” Dudoit said, “When I look for shows, I find something that is interesting to me and I am more into action or outdoors type of shows.” He added, “So, this show is about fighting fires but it’s set in a camp for prisoners who fight fires so that they are allowed to reduce their sentence.”       

Dudoit attributes his taste in shows to his grandmother saying, “ My grandma was always into shows growing up and she lived beneath our house and I would always go downstairs and watch shows with her.”        

The streaming habits of Concordia students reflect a pattern of popular genre among young adults. The series named by the students highlight that captivating storylines and dramatic cliffhangers offer students a necessary respite from their daily academic routine. 

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