Binge Watching:

1. The act of watching an entire season of a show in one sitting.

2. A totally valid excuse for avoiding social obligations.

"I should really start doing homework or write this essay or get my life together.... Netflix just sounds better. Yeah, I'll do that."

If you haven't been guilty of saying that line at least once in your college experience, you must be lying. Let's be honest here, most college students have a difficulty in doing anything in moderation (drinking, eating, shopping, etc.) I think we can all agree that binge-watching shows is the best alternative. Sure, there are plenty of more productive things you could be doing with your time, but it's okay to binge every once in awhile. Let's face it. We are EXTREMELY busy college students who don't have the luxury most of the time in watching shows as they appear on television. So I give you permission to binge-watch away.

Some shows are just so good that you have to keep watching. I'm sorry, but it is physically impossible to just sit and watch one episode when it gives you the option of clicking on the next episode. Let's not lie to ourselves now. In today's day and age, we are blessed with video streaming that allows us to watch seasons at a time. There's just something about watching a plot of your new favorite TV series unfold in rapid succession right before your eyes. You feel a connection with the characters on a whole other level (YOU ARE THEM & THEY ARE YOU. #GOALS). Watching these shows gives you an escape from reality.

My co-writer Zach Staton and I have decided to put together a list of some of our favorite shows on Netflix at the moment.

WARNING: THE LIST OF SHOWS BELOW ARE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK.

"Grey's Anatomy"

I'm just going to fangirl about this show BECAUSE THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT IT. It is the best show on television hands down, and Netflix has blessed us with the ability to binge-watch Season 1-11. How freaking lucky are we? You get a little bit of a glimpse into the medical tasks that go on in a hospital, but that is not the focus here, OK. It has medical drama around every corner with hot romances, humor, the tough stuff, and everything in between. I promise you'll be hooked from the very first episode. You grow an attachment to the characters. You will find yourself saying, I am _________ & she/he is me EVERY day of your life. Instead of going into the plot of the show.... these GIFS of my favorite characters speak for the show themselves:

And there you have it. Hot men, sarcastic characters, beautiful loves, and drama at every turn. What more could you ask for in a show? The obsession is real and I can't wait for the newest season to premiere September 24!

"Gossip Girl"

This was the first show I watched when I got my Netflix account freshman year. Let's just say it was one of the best & worst decisions I've made in life. It's so addicting that you have to binge-watch to the extreme. Like I'm talking 6-7 episodes a day... you probably think I'm joking, BUT REALLY. But I'm going to let you know that the show may not be for everyone. If you're into drama, suspense, and love with an upperclass teenage angst feel, then this is the show for you.

The show follows the lives of privileged teenagers living on the Upper East Side of New York City. It all begins when an infamous blogger, Gossip Girl, starts to reveal secrets about each of them bringing up issues of the past as well as present. You can take a dip into the life of luxury while stuffing your face with snacks wide-eyed at all the drama unfolding before your eyes throughout EVERY episode. You may find yourself scoffing at the first few episodes because you think the characters are snotty, upper class brats, but believe me...YOU WILL BE OBSESSED SOON.

You have Blair Waldorf, the over dramatic princess who is all for scheming. She has her whole life mapped out and always has to be the center of attention. All drama starts and usually ends with Blair, but you will soon grow to love her as the show escalates. Under the "Queen B" front, she is actually just a girl scared of what the future holds for her.

Prime Example:

And then you have Serena Van Der Woodsen. She is Blair's beautiful best friend, who Blair loves dearly but is always competing against. Serena is everything Blair wishes that she could be. Social, care free, blonde... They are besties one minute, and then are coming at each other's throats the next. You can't stop watching because you never know what's coming next. We all secretly want to be Serena. JUST LOOK AT HER:

We have Nate Archibald. Now doesn't that name just sound hot? He is as dashing as his name sounds and more. He is the guy every girl wants. He comes from the prestigious Vanderbilt family. He is the source of A LOT of the girl drama on the show. I'm sure that's hard to believe. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CUTIE:

Two Words: CHUCK BASS. He is the cocky guy that everyone loves to hate, BUT.... he's so damn gorgeous that you obsess over him. He is the son of one of the most powerful men in New York City, Bart Bass. I don't want to give away anything, but the ladies can't help but to fall in love with him. Just like the drama between Serena and Blair, there is always constant turmoil between Chuck and Nate.

(This next GIF.... I give you permission to stare at it forever. OK.)

And then last, but no least.... we have Dan Humphrey aka "Lonely Boy." He is from Brooklyn, but goes to the same school as the elite. No one knows who he is until he starts to date Serena. The drama begins, and he is consumed into the madness. Ladies, be prepared. He isn't too hard on the eyes either:

If the men aren't reason enough to let this show consume your life, then fair enough. I'm telling you this show can and WILL be your guilty obsession. Just give it a chance.

BTW... BLAIR & SERENA ARE FRIENDSHIP GOALS.

"One Tree Hill"

This show is a classic, hands down. It's got just enough drama and a heartwarming plot to addict you. Every episode leaves you wanting more. Let's just say it's a lot like Gossip Girl except it's set in small town North Carolina. It's much easier to relate to. Two half-brothers, Nathan and Lucas Scott, start out as enemies but begin to grow a bond as the show progresses. It follows them along with their high school friends through drama, heartbreak, constant turmoil, and so much more. You'll honestly witness it all with this show. Again, here are some of my favorite GIFS:

Brooke Davis is us, and we are her. (Ladies, am I right?)

Peyton Sawyer is us, and we are her.

We all want a NALEY relationship.... (Nathan & Haley... kissing in the rain. YES.)

Two Words: LUCAS SCOTT.

Just watch the show, OK. You won't regret it. I lied. You might regret it when you are spending every ounce of free time watching episode after episode, BUT IT IS ALL WORTH IT.

"Breaking Bad"

Ah, my (Zach) turn.

When I first got my Netflix account during freshman year, anyone who I talked to said I had to watch "Breaking Bad" first.

So, I took their advice and gave it a shot.

And now I find myself as a follower of Heisenburg. This show is simple, yet extremely complex. Walter White (Bryan Cranston) has cancer and wants to leave his family in a healthy financial state so much, that he is willing to break bad and make meth to get that stability. Yet, when he breaks bad, he becomes addicted to his power and ego, losing himself in the legend he has created.

You can just feel the arrogance coming from him. He knows he's the man, and so do you.

You're on the edge of your seat with every passing episode. You can't risk looking away, not even during the intro, because something huge to the plot can happen, whether you realize it or not. It feels so real, you can't help but feel each character's pain, whether it's White's want to help is family or every beating that Jesse (Aaron Paul) takes.

This show is dark, brutal, and absolutely addictive. Once you start, there is no turning back. Go watch it. Do what Gus says.

"House of Cards"

If you're a fan of the dark, intelligent shows, you've found your binge material.

It's a slow-burning show, so you have to pay attention. If you do, though, what you will find is an interesting story line playing out with an amazing cast. Kevin Spacey is fantastic as a condescending congressman, and Kate Mara is just as impressive as an ambitious journalist.

What's different about this show is that Spacey is actually talking to you as the show goes on. He breaks the fourth wall every time, cluing the viewer in on his deception of the system in D.C. It brings you into the plot and gets you interested in what's happening.

There's power, greed, deception, and intensity. Yes, it is a slow-paced show, so you have to stay with it. If you do, though, you are in for a roller coaster ride.

"Friends"

I. Love. This. Show. Beyond. All. Words.

Do you have a group of friends? If your answer is yes, then you have found the show you can relate to. If you've never watched this show, don't worry, I'll be there for you (when the rain starts to pour).

Six friends live in New York and simply live life together. Seriously, it's that uncomplicated. They fight, they make fun of each other, and sometimes, get coffee.

They go through everything together. Relationships, family issues, job problems, being broke. Essentially, anything that could ever happen in life, they tackle in this show. That's why it's so addictive. There's no fluff to it, anyone can watch it, and you know exactly how the characters feel. You start to realize how similar you are to the characters. I find myself to be Chandler for one reason:

ME IN A GIF.

It's so much fun, and still has its serious moments. It takes you into some emotional times, but makes you laugh enough to make you love it. I'm so invested in this show, I actually start yelling at my TV when I feel it's appropriate. Why? Because I want to help these people I feel that I have a connection with. Friends entertains you and teaches you that life is only better with good people in it, through thick and thin.

Just don't be surprised when it consumes your life.

No you're not, you're too busy watching Friends.

"How I Met Your Mother"

If you don't laugh at this show, I'm convinced you don't have a sense of humor.

HIMYM is a bit more crude than "Friends," but it is downright hilarious. The lead ensemble jells together so well and can make you laugh, and what they say isn't all that complex. It's about love and relationships, but they tell those stories in a way that it isn't sappy. It's genuine and funny.

It is.

Last year, my roommate and I had times set out just to watch this show. I'd miss a few shows, but I never felt out of place or that I had missed anything. Trust me, though, it is 10 times better to watch every episode. At any time, they can make you laugh, cry, angry, sad, or hopeful.

Plus, you cannot not love Barney.

It's almost like an offshoot of "Friends." Both are about a group of friends going through life, but HIMYM is a bit more crude in it's humor and Friends has a slightly more serious tone to it. Either way, you cannot miss out on either show.

LET'S BE REAL HERE. WE COULD FANGIRL & FANBOY ABOUT ALL OF THESE SHOWS AND MORE FOR DAYS. BINGE-WATCHING. JUST DO IT.