As fall stress is around the corner with school deadlines and part-time jobs, many college students are pressing play on their favorite shows. 

Rewatching shows or movies seems to be the new go-to strategy in de-stressing. The trend known as “cozy viewing” has become popular amongst young adults, finding relaxation in the comfort of their homes and an amusing plot that will keep them hooked. 

With midterms, essays, and assignments accumulating this semester, students are seeking ways to decompress. With that in mind, cozy viewing has emerged as a popular coping mechanism. 

Whether it’s the happy memories of a favorite series or the comfort in knowing how the plot goes, students are finding relief in their screen time. 

“When I’m stressed, I actually try to cancel it out by being sad. I watch crime documentaries on YouTube and that helps me not focus on what I was stressed about. Seeing what other people go and keep going through nowadays, just helps me open my eyes and be like I’m stressed by this when there’s so many people suffering,” said Dariellys Medina Duran, an education major student at Northern Essex Community College. 

“I watch thrillers, mystery, and romance in movies or shows. I prefer to rewatch my favorite shows or movies because I know the characters and the plot already,” said another student who requested to be anonymous due to shyness and would prefer to keep their viewing habits private. 

Nevertheless, not everyone copes with cozy viewing. 

“When I’m stressed, I listen to music, watch YouTube and TikTok. I don’t watch shows or movies when I’m stressed because I listen to music,” said Lirianni German, a business transfer student at Northern Essex Community College. 

These personal strategies demonstrate how young adults are turning to the media not just for entertainment, but for emotional stability. Cozy viewing helps reduce anxiety and encourage emotional connections from favorite scripted media with familiar characters and narratives. As the semester continues, entertainment is what students are relying on to manage their mental health. Whether it’s to distract, enjoy, or decompress, cozy-viewing has proven to be more than passing the time. It’s widely seen as the go-to form of self-care.