CALLA JORDAN / CONTRIBUTOR

As the end of the school year approaches, USD seniors are about to enter the “real world” — a daunting transition that often invokes reflection on one’s past experiences. To mitigate the uncertainty of the future, many people revert back to their childhood staples such as rewatching their favorite movies and television shows. By settling into a predictable favorite, the pressures and uneasiness of post graduation are quieted.

Current USD students grew up alongside the golden age of children’s television. Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the inimitable era of dystopian and fantasy movies undoubtedly raised this generation. Oftentimes, when choosing a  movie to wind down to at the end of the night, the pull toward a childhood favorite is too strong to ignore. The show-stopping   quality and drama  of these television shows and movies isn’t what necessarily  draws viewers back in, but instead the comforting feeling of returning to a place left behind in one’s carefree days.

USD senior Isabelle Cote grew up as an avid Disney Channel fan. Her favorites include “Hannah Montana” and the famous “High School Musical” trilogy. Oftentimes, Cote finds herself rewatching   her childhood favorites when in need of a break from the stressful college experience.

“When I’m homesick I tend to rewatch them because they remind me of my siblings,” Cote shared. “They remind me of a time when everything felt very simple in life and stress free. They’re super familiar and predictable, which makes them easy to watch.”

USD senior Albert Ogrodski grew up watching “Cars” and Disney Channel shows such as “Phineas and Ferb” and “Gravity Falls.” He noted that while he doesn’t find  himself returning to his favorite childhood movies often, he associates his favorites with  beloved memories  and people.

“I associate ‘Cars’ a lot with one of my aunts,” Ogrodski shared. “I have a lot of memories of it and I definitely feel nostalgic when I watch it.

These shows often bring up reminiscent feelings within their viewers.

USD senior Abby McDowell noted how rewatching her favorite shows not only reminds    her   of    a   simpler time, but also of her younger, cheerful self.

“When you’re re-watching it, you sort of come back to it with new growth  and awareness and it’s comforting,” McDowell shared. “You also  kind of recognize that simpler version of yourself.”

The Cartoon Network fan enjoys the feelings of  nostalgia that arise from rewatching a favorite show. While rewatching her picks, “Adventure Time” and “Amazing World of Gumball,” she is reunited   with her    inner child and the joys of simple entertainment. 

“It’s kind of that affable feeling you can’t really trace and it just reminds you of a pure simple time,” McDowell expressed. 

The cozy feeling of nostalgia prompts many students like McDowell to return to their childhood classics. McDowell emphasized how the stresses stemming from everyday life push individuals even more toward their childhood staples.

“I think we are overstimulated a lot in the day-to-day and we have to think about complex things,” McDowell shared. “Watching these simple shows just brings me back to simple times. I get a feeling of calm and gratitude that  I still have access to these moments that shaped me.”

As USD students begin to imagine their lives outside of the campus, movies and television shows remain a reliable source for amusement and comfort. A simple rewatch of a childhood favorite is not merely a break from reality, but some Toreros view it as a reminder to cherish different phases of life.

As finals draw near, students turn to childhood shows for comfort. Art by Kyra Lefebvre