You are brand new to university, so what better way to learn about the life of a college student than by watching a ton of college movies, right? Wrong. College movies have little to no reflection of real college life, so try not to be underwhelmed when you discover the lack of frat parties and naked miles. If you try to make university like how you see it in the movies, you will die of liver poisoning before your four years are up. Even though these movies are kind of a crock, there are some awesome college movies that at least somewhat reflect our experience at Laurier Brantford (or oppose it so much that there is still something to be learned).

5.  Accepted

This movie is about a fake acceptance into a fake college, but it encapsulates almost everyone’s anxiety about getting into school. I don’t know a single person whose parents wouldn’t be pissed off if they got rejected from every school, so the concept may be a little farfetched but completely understandable. This movie is great for some laughs, and while it will make you resent getting into Laurier Brantford instead of South Harmon, it will make you feel awesome that you even got accepted in the first place.

4.  Mona Lisa Smile

This movie is a chick flick for sure, but it paints an impeccable portrait of female post-secondary education in the 50s. In this flick, Julia Roberts plays a fiery professor at a conservative women’s college. As a professor of art history, she somehow takes it upon herself to persuade the students of the importance of following their own goals and dreams, rather than settling down with the ol’ ball and chain right after graduation. This movie shows how far women (and our education) have come in the past 60 years, and legitimizes our choices to pursue our own independent goals – whether that includes marriage or not.

3.  National Lampoon’s Van Wilder

This movie provides probably the most unrealistic portrayals of college experiences of them all (minus Accepted, but that was a fake college anyway). Van Wilder, played by Ryan Reynolds, is a socialite who has attended Coolidge College for seven years – and doesn’t want to leave. If you’re the type to graduate early, this might not be your cup of tea, but this movie can definitely show you how to throw one hell of a party.

2.  Rules of Attraction

I sincerely hope no one here wakes up losing their virginity to an unknown townie, but unfortunately, it does happen in the movies. This movie, based on Brett Easton Ellis’s novel of the same name, does a decent job portraying the trials and tribulations of relationship attempts in university. Mostly, it’s drama. The lesson to be learned here is the importance of communication, like: Yes, I like you. No, I’m not gay. No, I’m not interested. Trust me, if there’s a serious lack of communication, it may not turn out like this overdramatic film, but it will sure feel like it. And for goodness sake, don’t send anonymous love letters.

1.  Undeclared

OK, OK. So this one isn’t a movie, but it IS an awesome television show with dream team Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen. This is one of the most accurate college/university shows that I’ve seen thus far – sans partying with dad in res. The parties aren’t too wild, the people aren’t too hot, and the panic and uncertainty surrounding school is pretty legit. If you watch this show, you’ll find yourself comparing characters to the people you’ve met in res, and by the end of it, you’ll have Undeclared nicknames for mostly every character on your floor.