Top Ten Classic Must-See Highschool and College Movies to Watch This Fall

Well, it's that time again. Time to go back to the grind and back to school. Either you're gearing up for another year at highschool or you're braving the waters of college. Either way, the summer's over and fall is here, and it's time to study. That doesn't mean you don't have time for some great highschool and college movies.

You have to have a break from it all, and what better way than to watch some classic highschool and college movies? This will give you a chance to unwind, relax, and enjoy a few laughs in between studying. Or, if you're a working adult, you can still enjoy some of these movie greats. Here are my top ten picks for highschool and college movies to watch this fall.

1. Old School. This must be the best college movie ever made. I like it because the main character, Mitch, doesn't even realize what he's getting himself into until it's too late. And then, he actually starts to enjoy himself. What's great about this movie is that it is regular working adults who decide to get involved in college fun. Will Ferrell couldn't be funnier, especially when he's streaking down the road with no clothes on and his wife and her friends drive up beside him.

2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High. To me, this is a true classic movie depicting highschool times. Although it's twenty years old, it still shows us the same issues highschool students deal with today. And, it's funny! We learn all about what highschool offers- jealousy, teen pregnancy, people being jerks and standing someone up, someone being a hero and catching a would-be robber, having fantasies about the girl next door, dating problems, peer pressure, bullies, and losers. There are all types of shenanigans in this movie, and it's worthwhile to watch!

3. Private School. This is a less popular movie but still a goodie. It gives you insight into the lives of private school students. Of course, many of the same things go on that do in regular highschool, but there are more rules. For instance, the students actually live on the school campus, and the dorms are separated male and female. There is a love story developing throughout the movie, as well as issues of cheating, sneaking around, and much more. I especially like when the couple go to the beach for a romantic evening. The first night is ruined, but the next day works out!

4. Eurotrip. This is another Don't Miss highschool movie. Right after graduation, the lead character, Scotty finds out his German penpal is a beautiful girl, and so he decides to go to Europe to find her. What entails is all the mishaps they encounter as they try to make it through foreign countries. This is really a coming-of-age movie, as many people take trips to Europe after highschool graduation. I particularly enjoy this movie because it reminds me of my own trip to Europe. Although it happened many years after highschool for me, there were many mishaps! I got stuck on top of the Eiffel Tower in a torrential downpour because the lift wasn't working and almost missed my train to Switzerland, for instance. (Yes, I ended up getting sick.)

5. Sixteen Candles. I love any movie with Molly Ringwald in it- she's just a natural for the poor girl you feel sorry for. This movie is so hilarious, I could watch it over and over and not tire of it. The movie is about Molly Ringwald's character, ___ having to deal with her sixteenth birthday at the same time her sister is getting married, and her grandparents are hosting a foreign exchange student. She falls for a guy who doesn't even know she exists, and goes on a quest to try and be with him (although he has a beautiful blonde girlfriend.) Long Duck Song, the exchange student, keeps me rolling on the floor laughing. He tends to drink alot at parties, and ends up in some sticky situations. For instance, he wrecks the grandparents' car. The movie really deals with a teenager having to find herself while everyone else seems to forget about her.

6. Mrs. Robinson. This movie is one you can't go without seeing. What could be better than a dishy story of a college graduate falling in love with his father's business partner's wife (whose daughter went to school with him?) This movie became a household name. Imagine having an affair with an older woman, your first affair ever. And then, you fall in love with the woman's daughter. What a web is weaved in this movie! You get all the juicy action plus the breakdown of the older woman when she no longer can see Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), and Benjamin trying to still go out with the daughter!

7. Revenge of the Nerds. This is an oldie from 1984, but it still applies! The geeky, smart, nerdy college guys take on the jocks in this movie and win. I guess it goes to show that in the end, the nerds come out on top. The jocks in this college movie think they have it made, with the beautiful girls and the fun times. However, the nerds have been studying and taking life seriously their whole lives. So of course, they have a thing or two up their sleeves as well. This movie is very funny, and shows how the underdog can end up with the win.

7. Vision Quest. This movie is about a highschool wrestler trying to lose weight and take on a much lighter undefeated wrestling champion. During the process, he falls in love with an older woman his father has taken in as a border. He also starts getting nose bleeds from losing so much weight so fast. The movie is great because it shows you have to have passion for something and see it through. (And, sometimes there are things more important than the girlfriend/boyfriend.) It's a great highschool movie.

8. A Bronx Tale. This movie was written by Chaz Palminterri, who before this, was just a regular guy from the Bronx. The movie is incredibly realistic, and launched a career for Chaz in the movies. I like this movie because it is about respect for the family, but also about respect for the teenager. The movies is full of these lessons, including one about what goes around comes around, evidenced when Chaz is killed by the son of a man he killed many years before. A must-see!

9. Breakfast Club. What set of highschool and college movies would be complete without the Breakfast Club. It's about getting in trouble, learning about people that are different than you, and learning to accept yourself. The cast of characters includes some great names, such as Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson.

10. Romeo and Juliet. This is the oldest story in the books. Two teenagers fall in love with each other, despite the fact that their families are enemies. I like the original movie much better than the version that was put out in 1997 starring Claire Danes and Leonardo Di'Capprio. Anyway, this is about holding true to your feelings no matter what, and being willing to die for your convictions. The only thing I don't like about it is I really don't think the star-crossed lovers needed to kill themselves, I think they should have found some way to be together.