Top 10 TV series to watch over the long Summer break!

There's a hell of a lot of  TV to choose from these days, from both sides of the Atlantic and on conventional TV or stream-able online. Netflix is GOD for TV and film these days, so you can watch shows whenever it suits you, on whatever platform suits you - TV, laptop, phone or tablet! Download the app and sign up, and if you go to the Student Beans site, then you currently get 1 month free trial. You'll soon be hooked...

Anyway, back to the shows... here are my top 10 TV shows to watch on those days when you've just had enough of revising for exams, or to catch up on over the long Summer break, before uni starts all over again.

10.

American Dad is an American animation for an adult audience. It's as equally famous as it's sister show Family Guy, but (in my opinion) even funnier. It focuses around the Smith family; Stan, Francine, their children Hayley and Steve, the man-in-a-goldfish-body pet fish Klaus and the funniest character of the lot, their crazy Alien Roger, who has multiple alter-egos, and who is intelligently witty, hilariously cruel and extremely outrageous. You will soon love them all, but Roger alone makes this series unmissable.

9.

House of Cards is a political drama television series which can only be viewed on Netflix. Set in Washington, it is the story of Frank (played by Kevin Spacey) who is a Democrat from South Carolina, who begins an elaborate plan to seek power after being overlooked for the position of Secretary as State. Some TV is mindless television, but this is intelligent and well thought out, so if you like to power, manipulation and ruthlessness then this one is for you.


8. 

Greys is a medical drama TV series which has been around for a while now (10 seasons in fact), but which remains as gripping as it always has been. It focuses on the fictional lives of surgical interns and residents as they become seasoned doctors, with a lot of inter-lapping personal lives and relationships. It is almost always guaranteed to make you cry, but laugh out loud too, and the story lines are gripping and raw. However, be prepared for some gore along the way.

7.

A home-grown show which has found a captive audience across the world, Sherlock is (yes, another) take on one of the most famous detectives of all time. It is a distinctly modern take, set in the present day, and has an amazing cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is a brilliant actor and almost steals the show. Clever, interesting story lines make this a great watch.

6.

 The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural drama show, based on a book series of the same name. Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, haunted by supernatural beings. There a lot of love triangles involved - love lives seem infinitely more complex when you are immortal - but there are a variety of great characters involved. It's been on our screens for a while now, so there is a lot to catch up on but it's more than worth it. Lots of tears, tantrums and surprises along the way make it a great ride. And although it didn't make the list, it has spawned a spin-off show, The Originals, involving some of the earlier characters, which is just as gripping. But, as always (although obviously not in this case) the original is always best.

5.

This sitcom is based on the lives of Max and Caroline, who live in New York and work in a diner to scrape by. There are plenty (and I mean plenty) of cheap gags to be had, but it is fun and edgy. Focusing on the friendship, it explores deeper issues in a (very) light hearted manner. Make no mistake about it, these are very modern girls living very modern lives, but you soon warm to them and their friendly, bubbly personalities.

4. 

Modern Family is a sitcom presented in a mockumentary style, and is centred around Jay Pritchett, his second wife Gloria, his stepson and his two adult children and their families, who all live in suburban. As the name suggests, it is a very modern 21st century step-family including a gay son and his family, but it contains lots of great, rich characters and very funny story lines. Gloria, the young glamorous second wife, is the stand-out character who will have you rolling on the floor laughing in every single episode. On top of the laughs, it is heart-warming too and is very cleverly written.


3.

Friends couldn't not make my list could it, it is one of the most popular TV shows ever produced after all. Importantly, it doesn't matter how many times you have seen it (remember those Sunday mornings of T4 during your teenage years), it still remains hilariously funny. Each episode, you fall in love with the characters, their lives and the hilariously written script all over again. It refuses to date and is delivered with perfect timing by 5 incredibly talented actors. Quite simply, it will remain irreplaceable and it is still sorely missed on our screens. Luckily, you can still watch it again and again, to brighten up any day!



2.

I will probably upset many people for putting Breaking Bad at number 2, because it is certainly one of the most popular recent television shows to hit our screens. An American crime drama series which follows the story of Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime when diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, producing and selling drugs, to secure his family finances before he dies. It is gripping and powerful stuff, and each episode is a master piece. It is more than worthy of the crown, and believe me, only just beaten into second position.


And finally the winner is...

1. 

Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama television series, based on a series of fantasy novels with the same name. Filmed in a Belfast UK studio (as well as on location elsewhere in Europe) it is cram-packed with British talent. It is set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, at the end of a decade long summer, with multiple and overlapping plot lines. The first follows the members of several noble houses in a civil war for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. The second is the rising threat of the impending winter bringing forth mythical creatures from the icy north. The characters are as morally ambiguous, shocking and complex as the story lines and the show is insanely well-written, and even better portrayed by the talented cast. Expect lots of swearing and nudity, making it more suitable to a modern audience, but clever twists at every turn. What sets this show apart from others is the fact that it is not afraid to kill off main characters, resulting in numerous particularly shocking episodes which have already gone down in fictional TV history. Issues such as social hierarchy, religion, loyalty, corruption, civil war, crime and punishment are explored in a graphic, gory manner. It isn't for the light-hearted, but it is definitely television at its best and
deserves to win the crown.

And one to try...

It doesn't make my top 10 because it definitely won't be everyones cup of tea, however I recently discovered this show which had me hooked from the start. Think America's Next Top Model for drag queens, with a whole lot of bitchy and camp thrown in. RuPauls Drag Race is hilarious and dramatic, and doesn't take itself too seriously with gimmicks and catchphrases galore. In this American reality TV competition, Ru Paul (a famous drag queen) plays host and mentor in the hunt for "America's next drag superstar." Each episode sees contestant's take part in a mini challenge before they hit the cat-walk in their best outfit's based on a central theme. The bottom two enter a fierce battle where they have to 'lip-synch' for their lives to stay in the competition. Promise me, you will be laughing your head off from start to finish, and soon be reciting the catchphrases like me and my partner! And there's plenty of series on Netflix for you to catch up on.

Which Student bank account is for me?!

So which student bank account should you use? First of all, let's look at the best way to treat a student bank account and all it's perks! Look for the biggest 0% overdraft out there, but remember do not go over the limit or you will face big charges. Also be careful to look for guaranteed overdraft limits over 'up to' limits which may not meet expectations. Don't pick an account just because you live near a local branch or near an ATM, most people are rarely required to go in to the branch in person (with great on-line access offered by all banks) and cash is free to withdraw at most ATM's. Once uni is over, switch to a top-notch graduate account instead. For around a year after graduation, you will be eligible for preferential perks.

Santander
Santander will offer you an overdraft of UP TO £1,500 and 1% in-credit interest. They will also throw in a 4 year rail card (worth £120 and gives you a 1/3 off most train journeys) which is a massive bonus! You need to pay £500/term in to qualify. You get the rail card valid for 4 years, within 3 weeks of opening your account, so even if you end up switching then this is a valuable freebie! The overdraft remains capped at £1500 for the whole 3 years, and unarranged overdraft fee's are £5 a day, capped at £10 a month. Paid/unpaid fees of £5 and £10 per item apply.

Co-op
The Co-operative Bank offers an impressive £2000 overdraft. £1400 in first year, £1700 in second year and £2000 in third year. They also have a good reputation of offering some of the greatest customer service in the industry, which is always a bonus if you need to contact them. The bank state that 90% of applicants are successful in being offered the full overdraft amount (which is higher than other banks) as long as account holders maintain a good financial record. No interest is offered for being in-credit and there is an 18.9% EAR charge for unarranged overdraft, plus £15 unpaid item fee (capped at £150 a quarter).

Halifax
One of the biggest interest-free overdrafts on offer, UP TO £3000 but this is assessed case-by-case so may be lower. The first £1000 is a guaranteed overdraft though! If you go over your limit, you are looking at a charge at 24.2% AER plus a monthly fee of £28. Returned/unpaid item fee is £10. 0.1% AER interest offered for being in-credit. 

HSBC 
Another whopping interest-free £3000 overdraft on offer here, but this is only guaranteed at £500 and very likely to be less than this amount. The interest on offer for being in-credit is a reasonable 2% and unpaid fee's stand at £25. No freebie on offer here either, unlike a few other banks below.

RBS
RBS offer a shopping discount card and Tastecard membership with their account and the £1000 interest-free overdraft, rising to £1500 in the third year, is generous enough.

Barclays
A £2000 interest-free overdraft from the start is more than enticing, and 10% discount on travel insurance for those student holidays in Ibiza and Marbella.

Lloyds
Lloyds will offer a free NUS Extra card for 3 years which is worth £12 a year and will get you a generous discount in many shops. Alongside an interest-free overdraft of £1500, this is definitely worth considering.

It's a difficult choice to make, and you need to weigh up the best pro's for you. However, in my opinion, the Santander account's free 4 year rail card (worth £120 in it's own right will save you countless £££££ on rail journeys to see your friends and family over the 4 years) will save you a hell of a lot more. An awesome freebie, and a decent interest-free overdraft, are more than enough to make this top the list!