5 Valuable Lessons I've Learned From My Coveted Netflix Subscription

I know what you're thinking: It's super dumb to imply something like a Netflix subscription could impart any form of wisdom in anyone's life. Right?

Well, bad news, my friends: You're wrong.

Knowledge can be gleaned from literally anything in life. But put that fact aside for a second, and really consider all of the valuable lessons Netflix truly teaches us.

Think. Think harder. Have you come up with anything? Well, don't worry if you haven't because I've got you covered.

Sorry for making you think super hard.

1. Netflix taught me how to manage my time.

Okay, picture this true-to-life scenario: You're streaming the first episode of a show you used to love, that just made it to Netflix. You think, "Nah, I've already seen this show. I can play it in the background as I get ready for class/work/that super important thing I need to do."

The next thing you know, you're hypnotized by nostalgia. You're remembering why you loved this show so much. You're discovering new things you didn't see when you watched it the first time. Your mind is blown!

Before you know it, you suddenly have only 10 minutes left to get ready...or else, you'll be horribly late.

If this has ever happened to you, it's a sign you need to manage your time better.

Maybe only watch Netflix when you have a clear schedule, or when you have a few hours to kill, or maybe -- most shocking of all -- only watch, like, the first half an hour of an episode.

I know, I know. It probably won't happen. But you can always try.

2. Netflix taught me to strike while the iron is hot.

This lesson is brought to you by that heartbreaking moment when Netflix pulled "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part Two" before I had the chance to watch it. Even though I'd meant to watch it for, like, weeks.

Seriously, folks; if you're sitting on something, just do it. Much like the pain I felt at not knowing if they pulled off that pivotal final scene (Spoiler: They did, but not as fantastically as they could have.), you'll know that sting of regret if you let an awesome opportunity pass you by.

Especially if it's just sitting there, in your queue, waiting to be jumped on.

Don't be me. Go for the good things in life that are presenting themselves to you while you still have the chance. Which brings me to my next point...

3. Netflix taught me to appreciate what I have while I still have it.

There's nothing sh*ttier than knowing you let something slip through your fingers. Except knowing you didn't value it when you had it.

This is a pretty good thing to keep in mind, especially since it can apply to so many things: relationships, friendships, food that mysteriously goes missing in the fridge, shows on Netflix you think are just kind of "meh" until they get pulled off.

You know, whatever.

The point, though, is you really have to value what you have while it's still there because you never know when you might open your computer expecting to see a familiar graphic, only to have it lost forever.

Thanks, Netflix.

4. Netflix taught me not to procrastinate.

Which kind of relates to my other two points, but this one deserves to be highlighted because a lot of us are guilty of procrastinating. (Even me. Okay, especially me.)

But seriously. How many of us have a Netflix queue that'll take the entire summer to finish? And how many of us have put off watching a show forever, only to get caught up in marathoning an entire series (or two, or three)?

My hand is definitely raised right now, by the way. Team no-bathroom-breaks.

Imagine a world, though, where we pace ourselves. Where our Netflix queues only consist of, like, two or three things? Where we decide to watch a Netflix show, and then watch it. Where we say we're going to do something, and then do it.

It's a beautiful world, friends. Won't you live in it with me?

5. Netflix taught me not to judge a book by its cover.

Alright, let's be real for like, five minutes: How many of us have passed up on a show/documentary/movie on Netflix because the banner wasn't appealing?

Tons of us, probably.

I know I'm guilty of this one for sure. When navigating through the Netflix jungle, you have to be quick and you have to be decisive. If an image doesn't pull me in, it's getting skipped.

But how many of us have taken the plunge and clicked on a show with an image we hated? Or browsed a genre we normally wouldn't browse? Also tons of us...maybe.

It might be a bit of a struggle not to judge the show by its image or genre. Your hatred for documentaries? Well, that might be reaffirmed. But what if it's not? What if you discover a hidden gem? Or your new favorite movie? All because you stepped out of your comfort zone.

So thanks, Netflix. For being a constant source of entertainment, for staying up long nights with us, for offering a brief distraction from finals.

And above all, for teaching us some pretty legit life lessons.