It is, of course, a spectrum however, and the reality is that most people’s experience falls somewhere in the middle. Two tv shows which come to mind when I think of attempting to capture this grey area well. There is a lot going on at uni, so it’s important to me that a good representation includes balancing academic struggles with navigating socialising, all whilst remaining relatable and accounting for personal circumstance. And of course, it’s got to be funny.
Whilst arguably outdated in parts, ‘Fresh Meat’ remains one of the most classic examples of striking this balance. The Channel 4 classic ran from 2011-2016, and whilst the cast’s millennial uniforms of colourful beanies and clashing patterns might not have stood the test of time, most of the storylines have.
The series follows the lives of six completely different students; each character is an exaggeration of a Uni student stereotype. But with most of the episodes set in the house they all share, viewers get a chance to see that each character is more complicated than they might first seem. From constant bowls of dry pasta to dealing with dodgy landlords and complicated ‘flacest’ dynamics, there are endless examples of relatable Uni experiences in the show.
But what I loved most was watching a comedy with deeper take aways, the main one being that university gives you a chance to meet, connect and even form lifelong bonds with people that you otherwise never would have.
This same concept is prominent in another popular representation of university life – ‘Big Boys’ (2022). Whilst also following an extremely funny script, the semi-autobiographical series tackles some more serious themes from writer Jack Rooke’s own Uni experience. It follows, again, two very different personalities living in the same accommodation at Uni, but this time they’re attempting to balance what is already an overwhelming experience with some of their own inner conflicts, such as exploring sexuality, living with grief and dealing with poor mental health.
Of course, these topics won’t necessarily be relatable to everyone attending university, but they are part of a process that everyone does get to experience; learning more about yourself. And that seems to be the bottom line on what makes a show about young adults relatable.