There’s something about the chaos of college that makes the glitzy world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side feel like the perfect escape. Between the endless assignments, caffeine-fueled all-nighters and the constant scramble to balance classes, social life and maybe a hint of sleep, sometimes you just need to hit pause. Enter Gossip Girl, a world where the biggest drama isn’t a late essay; it’s whether Gossip Girl will expose your secrets. And let’s be honest: Who wouldn’t trade their 8 a.m. lecture for brunch on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
College drama is exhausting — friendship fallouts, awkward crushes and that one group project where nobody pulls their weight. But Gossip Girl drama? That’s the good stuff. Serena’s surprise return, Blair’s ruthless schemes, Chuck’s morally questionable charm — it’s like reality television but with better lighting and designer wardrobes. You get to witness all the betrayals, breakups and backstabbing without actually dealing with the consequences. Bliss.
Part of the appeal is imagining what it’d be like to swap your cramped dorm room for a Park Avenue penthouse. No roommates stealing your snacks, just an elevator that opens straight into your living room. Weekend plans? Forget frantically Googling “cheap things to do near me.” You’re hopping on a private jet to Paris. It’s a fantasy, sure, but it’s a fun one. And admit it: You’ve caught yourself mentally curating your Met Gala outfit more than once.
Okay, so you’re probably not rocking head-to-toe couture between classes, but Gossip Girl still delivers serious fashion inspiration. Blair’s preppy headbands, Serena’s effortlessly cool outfits, Chuck’s impeccable suits — watch enough episodes, and suddenly you’re considering dressing up just to go to the dining hall. And, hey, a statement coat or vintage blazer can make you feel like the main character, even if you’re just power-walking to class because you hit snooze one too many times.
Rewatching Gossip Girl is like flipping through your old high school yearbook, except with fewer questionable haircuts and more designer handbags. Even if you know every plot twist, there’s something comforting about revisiting Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck as they navigate love triangles and social warfare. Plus, there’s a certain charm to the show’s early 2000s tech: flip phones, chunky laptops and the mysterious world of blogging. Who knew a single text blast could cause so much chaos?
Is Gossip Girl a guide to moral living? Absolutely not. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a few pearls of wisdom along the way. Blair reminds us that ambition and confidence can take you far — just maybe with fewer schemes. Serena proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. And Dan? Well, Dan teaches us that being an outsider doesn’t mean you can’t shake things up. Plus, if nothing else, the show is a solid reminder to lock your phone and never leave evidence of your latest scandal in writing.
Watching Gossip Girl solo is great, but watching it with friends? Even better. Few things bond people faster than collectively gasping at a plot twist or debating whether Chuck and Blair are endgame or a red flag factory. And even if you’re bingeing alone, you’ll inevitably end up texting someone with, “Wait… Dan was Gossip Girl this whole time?!” (Yeah, we’re still processing that one, too.)
Years after its finale, Gossip Girl still resonates because it taps into that universal desire for a life that’s a little more glamorous, a little more dramatic and a whole lot more unpredictable. Maybe it’s the fantasy of wealth and power, or maybe it’s just the thrill of watching other people’s chaos from a safe distance. Either way, there’s something irresistible about escaping into a world where anything can happen — and usually does.
After all, you know you love it.
XOXO, Gossip Girl.
Ruben Diaz is a freshman from Miami, Fla. studying Biology and Psychology.
