The warm summer days are dwindling to a close and soon students will plunge head first into the demanding work of academia. There’s no better way to relax before the fall session starts than by catching up on some TV shows you missed out on this summer.

Whether you were working a nine to five job, traveling through Europe or taking summer classes for the past couple of months, it’s common to feel restless when all these things come to an end. The last couple of weeks before school resumes can be filled with a seemingly endless amount of free time — the free time where you can finally fit in all the TV shows you meant to watch this summer. Here are some of the Sheaf’s top picks to binge-watch before school.

First up, the TV talk of the summer: Stranger Things. This Netflix original series is a suspenseful, light horror set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, 1983. It centers on the events following the disappearance of a young boy and launches into an investigation. This thrusts his family and friends into unraveling truths about dangerous government experiments and the supernatural world.

Stranger Things is able to weave together family tropes to create something new, yet still be reminiscent of the 1980s enough to make one feel nostalgic. If you’re a fan of horror or want to try something new and unique, this show is bound to get you hooked.

If horror isn’t your thing, Sense8 is a sci-fi drama Netflix original series that might be more your speed. The series surrounds eight strangers around the globe who suddenly find themselves interconnected by their ability to communicate, share experiences and skills with each other.

The group quickly finds themselves in danger from a mysterious organization that wants to hunt them down. They must work together in order to protect themselves while simultaneously navigating the obstacles of their mundane everyday lives. There are currently 12 episodes out, filled with great emotional storylines and cinematography.

If you’re more of a staunch realist and lean more towards drama, How To Get Away With Murder is a perfect fit for you. The story centers around Annalise Keating, a successful criminal defense lawyer and professor who becomes entwined in a murder, alongside five of her students. It’s a legal drama produced by the great American writer and producer Shonda Rhimes — and like many of her other shows, it’s bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I would suggest watching the show with a friend, as the twists and turns can be more than a little emotionally taxing. However, you should be warned, the show currently has two seasons out, consisting of 15 episodes each, with the third season starting Sept. 22, 2016 — making this show the most time-consuming on the list.

If you want to watch something a bit more lighthearted, I suggest giving Netflix’s Master of None a watch. Created by and starring American actor and comedian Aziz Ansari, Ansari plays Dev — a struggling actor living in New York City, who attempts to navigate the hurdles and uncertainties of young adulthood. Even if you aren’t familiar with Ansari’s past work — such as Tom Haverford on Amy Poehlers’ Parks and Recreation — Ansari is sure to charm you with his signature witty dialogue, multi-dimensional characters and interesting storylines.

Master of None is one of the most relevant comedies I have seen in awhile — starring people of different race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender — this show displays what life really is like as a young adult. Ansari tackles serious topics with comedy and does it well, and with ease. The show currently has one season out, consisting of 10 episodes. What better way to end off summer than with some comedy!

Take these suggestions and find your own as you take advantage of these last few days of summer and relax with a little TV.

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Nafisa Islam

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor