1) Grease (1978)- This timeless classic, set in an American high school in the late 1950s, is the perfect film for an end-of-year celebration. 'Grease' follows the senior year of two groups of high school students, 'The Pink Ladies' and 'The T Birds' as they navigate their way through their final year. Packed full of drama, romance, 50s culture and iconic musical numbers, it has everything you could possibly want in a feel-good film. Nothing captures the feeling of freedom after that last exam or assignment like Grease's closing number 'We Go Together' (let's not mention how confused we all were when we first saw Danny and Sandy flying off in their car at the end).
2) Ladybird (2017)- Cemented as a modern classic, Greta Gerwig's solo-directional debut 'Ladybird' is a stunning coming-of-age tale. This film perfectly conveys the mixed feelings of being a young adult, having to balance a new-found sense of independence and ambition with the unstable relationships in our lives. I believe it's a great film for an end-of-year reflection, demonstrating a raw and unfiltered reality of coming of age interweaved with moments of comedy and laughter.
3) Dead Poets Society (1989)- Including one of the best performances from one of my all-time favourite actors, Robin Williams, 'Dead Poets Society' is another classic coming-of-age film. Despite its sad, reflective undertones and heartbreaking moments, the moral of this film is to not waste a single day and to "live deep and suck the marrow out of life." A great film to watch to motivate you if you're stuck in a rut while working through your assignments or for a film night with your friends to celebrate the end of exams!
4) Before Sunrise (1995)- Another stunning film (and another starring the talented Ethan Hawke), is the 1995 romance 'Before Sunrise.' Following the blossoming relationship between an American man and a French University student when they randomly meet on a train journey and subsequently explore Vienna together. 'Before Sunrise' is a beautiful and authentic love story that will inspire you to take more risks and embrace the unexpected and spontaneous nature of life, which is perfect for soothing any post-exam/assignment uncertainty.
5) Stand By Me (1986)- Finally, the last film on my list is the 1986 film adaptation of Stephen King's short story 'The Body.' This heartwarming film celebrates the importance and complexity of childhood friendships. It follows the lives of four pre-teen boys as they go on a dangerous journey to find a dead body on the outskirts of their hometown. Despite not relating to university life one bit, I believe the reflective nature of this film makes it a crucial watch for every young adult. Unwind and settle in to watch this 80s classic as a treat after long weeks of stress and hard work...