It’s that time of year, folks. You’re at the library, maybe your apartment, or 1515 and you are struggling to keep your sanity from all of the studying your doing. You’re bored of scrolling through Twitter and Instagram with their repetitive content. You need a new procrastination method that will entertain you, inspire you, or just give you a minute to relax. With the amount of stress that we’re all under right now, there’s nothing that we need more than a study break with some gooooood YouTube.
As I have been seriously lacking in the motivation area when it comes to studying for finals (mom, if you’re reading this, I promise I’m still studying) I have been searching through tons of YouTube channels to make myself a great playlist of people to watch when I need a minute away from the books. Since I know that I am not at all the only one who needs a pick me up right now, I decided to make this a nice, tangible list that every student can utilize in their time of need. I’m here for you, guys. We got this—but for right now, let’s enjoy some YouTube, shall we?
1. If you need to laugh
Jenna Marbles, Julien Solomita, and The Jenna & Julien Podcast
Everyone knows who Jenna Marbles is; she’s one of the original creators on YouTube for Christ’s sake! Although everyone knows who she is, a lot of people stopped watching her content after the mid-2000s. Let me be the first to tell you that her videos are way funnier now than they used to be. The humor no longer feels forced or unnatural. Instead, every video she makes is now is completely random and 100% entertaining.
Her boyfriend, Julien, helps her out with these videos and makes an appearance in most of them. When the two of them are together it’s almost impossible to stop laughing. He also has his own vlog channel (recommended above) where viewers can follow him around. It might sound boring, but he really is ridiculously funny.
The couple also does a weekly podcast that they record and upload onto YouTube so you can get the visuals as well as the usual podcast listening style. They talk about everything from the demonetization of certain YouTube channels to conspiracy theories. If you’re craving some seriously interesting and funny videos, check these two out.
Videos I recommend...
Jenna Marbles Prank Calling People But We Can’t Hear Them
Julien Solomita Reading Comments About My Mustache
Jenna & Julien Podcast #157 Snake Oil
2. If you're into makeup videos
Manny MUA
If you enjoy watching people beat their faces in the most beautiful way while also being really amusing, Manny MUA has got you covered. He has the some of the most beautiful makeup looks on YouTube and he reviews a lot of the popular beauty products that people are buzzing about. Want some really funny tea? Watch his video on Kylie Jenner’s brushes and you will not be disappointed.
He has also done collaborations with other big-name beauty vloggers on YouTube, so if you’re into one of them then you get the best of both worlds! Honestly, Manny’s channel is one of my all-time favorites to watch because he’s pure entertainment. I don’t even have to be interested in his beauty advice because he makes all of his videos comical and keeps everything super real.
Video I recommend...
Manny MUA Full Face Using Only Beauty Guru’s Brands And Collabs
3. If you need study tips or academic motivation
Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank’s channel is something I accidently stumbled upon one afternoon when I looked up tips on how to become a “speed reader” and thank goodness I did. This man has helped me so much when I’ve lost motivation for schoolwork, personal goals, or just learning in general because he gives the best and most proactive tips that run the whole gamut.
Not only is he putting out content to help students and common working people, but he also runs his own website (collegeinfogeek.com) and has written his own book. He’s a graduate from Iowa State University and he tries his best to share his advice on being the best student you can be. He also talks about how you can get all A’s, which is something I think we’re all interested in right now.
Video I recommend...
Thomas Frank How To Make Yourself Study When You Have Zero Motivation
4. If you want to listen to music or music news
BBC Radio 1
If you’re on YouTube and you haven’t checked out BBC Radio 1’s channel yet, you are seriously missing out. There’s everything on that channel including interviews with musicians, enjoyable news stories, and song covers done by popular artists (this is probably the best part about the channel).
The channel has numerous different “playlists” that you can check out that are all identified under different names like Fire in the Booth, Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, and Live Lounge. The whole page has so much to offer when you’re feeling bored and need to indulge in some music or silly news stories.
Video I recommend...
BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Bastille Cover Miley Cyrus’ We Can’t Stop In The Live Lounge
5. If you want to learn something new but don't want to be bored out of your mind
Vlogbrothers
Okay, guys, you remember John Green? The fabulous YA novelist who wrote tearjerkers such as The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns? Yeah, he has a YouTube channel. Many people may already know this, but I did not! Vlogbrothers is John and Hank Green’s YouTube channel where they put up vlogs about, well, everything. Sometimes John talks about writing his books and other times he talks about tress that have been cut down. Sometimes Hank talks about psychology and other times he talks about marijuana. There’s no controlling these two wild guys.
The best part about their videos, though, is that they are really genuine. They care a lot about the online community that they have built (i.e. the nerdfighters) and they want to share their passions and interests with them. They give great advice, they make you laugh, and you’ll probably walk away from your computer having learned something new. What else could you possibly want?
Video I recommend...
Vlogbrothers Does Human Life Have Real Meaning?
I think this is a pretty solid list if I do say so myself. Hopefully in the future, I’ll publish another article with more recommendations for other types of video categories. Hopefully, though, these channels will be enough to aid in your procrastination endeavors. Good luck on finals everyone!
