By Jazmine Rose, Staff Writer
At some point in childhood many asked for Barbie dolls. I asked for Rock Star Barbie; all I wanted was her pink rhinestone dress and star-shaped microphone. When Mattel, Inc. released her matching guitar and outfit, owning all three was completely non-negotiable. By middle school, having a Barbie doll was considered childish—but wanting to dye pink streaks in my hair like Mermaid Barbie was most definitely not. Then, in my senior year of high school, my class chose a “Blast From the Past” theme as our “good-bye senior backpacks,” where I chose a Scooby-Doo backpack. That decision inspired me to rewatch the entire series, and to this day, it has become my constant comfort show. During the week leading up to college, I suddenly had the urge to rewatch Victorious—a show I hadn’t seen since I was nine years old.
Looking back, I see that this was no coincidence. I’ve found myself going back to TV series and films that shaped my childhood at almost every significant turning point in my life, whether it be academic or personal. It wasn’t until recently that I became aware of the commonality of my habit. Those of us who grew up watching Nickelodeon, MTV, or Disney Channel find our way back to the familiar classics now as young adults. The repetitive plots, theme songs, and hidden jokes that we never really understood as kids start to feel exciting again.
In the early 2000s, watching television for extended periods of time was more or less encouraged rather than criticized. Children used to let their imaginations run wild and escape into the vibrant world of cinema. These television programs and films—from iconic shows like iCarly to timeless movies including Beauty and the Beast became more than just entertainment, they turned into a place of escape. Whether someone was having difficulties at home, feeling lost at school, or just trying to fit in, there was always something on TV that could provide solace. In hindsight, it shouldn’t surprise us that we automatically turn to those familiar comforts in times of stress. For instance, entering college, moving away from home, or starting a new career—stressors that nostalgia seems to adhere to.
Simultaneously, without realizing it, childhood television brought so much more than just comfort. It affected how we dressed, what music we listened to, and even how we spoke. Fads, although mainly left in our childhood, still hold tremendous weight in our current lives. Realistically, most people have a playlist dedicated to songs from their childhood or a sweater now “vintage” they’ve had since the third grade.
College, more than almost any other stage of life, puts enormous pressure on young adults. Suddenly, we’re expected to figure out who we are while living away from home, making new friends and adjusting to an entirely unfamiliar environment. It can be exciting, but it can also feel incredibly isolating. During moments like these, it’s only natural that we search for something familiar. That’s why so many of us find ourselves returning to the television shows and movies we loved growing up. They remind us that even though our surroundings have changed, a part of ourselves has remained the same.
Research done at Southampton University has shown that psychologically, nostalgia is not mainly correlated with wanting to be stuck in the past. Rather, nostalgia helps an individual feel more emotionally regulated, socially connected, and confident by subconsciously reintroducing techniques to manage new life challenges.
Nostalgia is more than simply a sentiment. It has turned into a dialogue. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are consistently bringing back lost aspects of childhood. Thousands of people enthusiastically comment on anything, whether it’s a slideshow of “things you forgot existed,” an old Disney Channel clip, or a song from the mid-2000s that has suddenly become popular again. It’s incredible how a single image, sound, or quote can bring back memories we haven’t considered in years.
While nostalgia is deeply personal, it’s also something that brings people together. In new environments like college, one simple question can completely change the atmosphere.
“Did anyone else watch this growing up?”
Suddenly, what was an awkwardly quiet room becomes filled with laughter. People begin quoting episodes, singing theme songs, or debating which show was better. In just a few minutes, strangers feel like they’ve known each other for years. When we connect over memories from a time when life felt so carefree, it creates a different kind of bond—one built on shared experiences rather than first impressions.
Highs and lows at every stage of life are unavoidable. However, watching a movie you loved when you were eight years old or listening to the theme song from your favorite childhood show can somehow take you back to that child who was sitting cross-legged in front of the TV with wide eyes and thought everything was possible. Moments like this often leave us feeling rejuvenated, reassured, and at times even inspired.
I am lucky to experience nostalgia at YU. Many of the themes RAs will choose to decorate our dorm halls are reminiscent of well-known childhood films, TV series, and cartoons. Although they appear to be straightforward decorations at first, I believe they have a far more significant function: they add a feeling of familiarity to a whole new location. They give students something to talk about before they’ve even learned one another’s names. More importantly, they remind us that while we’re all beginning a new chapter of our lives, we all brought pieces of our childhood with us.
Perhaps this is why nostalgia is a constant. Every generation makes new memories that, years later, provide solace to someone else. We don’t go back to our childhood because we wish we could be kids again. We go back to those stories because they help us navigate who we are becoming and serve as a reminder of who we were.
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