We can’t tell you how many summer days we’ve spent binge watching TV. Although it is easy to assume that we have wasted those countless hours away, from all of those binged episodes, we learned a couple of things.

Friends

We learned 2 incredibly important lessons. One, don’t lie. Just be honest with your friends and tell them their version of “Smelly Cat” sounds like a dying cat, and that they really shouldn’t depend on singing to be the career that gets them through life. Because if you don’t, and let them believe for the next 10 years that they are the next Beyonce, that just won’t end well for anybody. 

Secondly, if you have feelings for someone, just tell them. Tell them before they go off to China, get divorced 2 times, move away to Paris, or get engaged to your best friend for a day. Trust us, in watching the ups and downs of Ross and Rachel’s tumultuous relationship, sitting on our couch, experiencing their pain first hand for 10 straight seasons, it will save you quite a bit of time, possibly 10 years of your life.

Stranger Things

We found some very important information to always keep in mind. Even though it might be common sense for some teenagers, never ever ride your bike at night. For all you know you may be cruising down the street one second and sucked into a parallel universe the next. 

And, if people knock on your door and say they are from the government, maybe do a background check first, just a suggestion. They may or may not be an evil agent working for a secret lab posing as a child services worker. 

Also, if you happen to want to raise your kids in the wonderful town of Hawkins, Indiana, the best form of parenting is helicopter parenting. There is a chance your child may disappear only to be found within the walls of your own house. 

When weird things happen, (they most likely will), and your friend is acting strange, just assume from the get-go that they are possessed. Doing so will explain a lot and avoid the many days of confusion that inevitably follow. 

We also learned the harsh fact that life can change in the blink of an eye. One day you’re playing Dungeons and Dragons with your best friends in the basement, then three years later, you have killed 2 monsters coming out of an opening from an alternate reality that scientists are ‘exploring’ by opening it, closing it and reopening it, and are now facing a giant spider creature made of blown-up rats that is chasing you around town.

Riverdale

The most recent mystery murder phenomenon, we learned quite a few significant lessons. If something bad happens around town, especially something as bad as a murder, please, please don’t try to be the police, it won’t end well for you. That is of course unless you are the main character of an extremely popular tv show, then you will be just fine. And as a mystery plagues your town, it often times proves true that those living in the biggest houses, have more room for the biggest secrets *wink wink*. 

Lastly, we learned to set some standards for our local policemen. If high school teenagers are solving the mystery, or even multiple mysteries before the officers who are extensively trained to protect the town you live in do, find new people for the job.

Worst Cooks in America

Who needs cook books when you have cooking TV shows in which you learn the most important aspects of being a top chef. 

First and foremost, learn the difference between an oven and stove. Do this and you will be more accomplished than 50% of Americans at cooking and 99.9% of contestants on Worst Cooks in America. 

Second, be reasonable with the time that you have. If you cook a chicken in 8 minutes, that isn’t really defined as “cooking a chicken”. 

And last but not least, when you are decorating any type of cake, it is often times human nature to have high expectations. We suggest you lower your expectations. Trust us, it will save you a lot of time and heartbreak. Don’t expect to get a beautiful cake on the table, perfectly frosted and creatively decorated. Expect a collapsing monstrosity with frosting slopped on and any cake created will be a great accomplishment.

Boy Meets World

Boy Meets World, a timeless show that has been a part of many childhoods throughout the ages, taught us that if you encounter a teacher that doesn’t like you more than twice in your academic career, change schools. Especially if you also happen to be their next door neighbor.

We learned the power of friendship is a bond that will last a lifetime, well, in TV at least.

Impractical Jokers

A show that often times makes your stomach ache from laughing so hard teaches you one of the most important lessons in life: don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself because, compared to these guys, it’s probably not that embarrassing. 

Messing up a presentation in front of your entire English class is nothing compared to attempting to fit under an occupied beach chair unnoticed, only to get stuck as someone sits above you. And accidentally pulling the door instead of pushing it in front of 20 people at a coffee shop, is much less mortifying than running a marathon in the cold of New York in nothing but clown shoes and spandex as onlookers throw cups of water at you. 

See? Everything they’ve done over the past 8 seasons of their television show is a million times more humiliating than any embarrassing situation any of us will ever experience. 

So, go run a mile, go hike with friends or spend time at the beach with your family. But if you just so happen to want a relaxing day on the couch watching your favorite TV show, it’s not an entirely bad idea. For all you know, you may learn a couple of things.