Pixar’s favorite monsters are scaring on the silver screen again! This time, they’re at college learning about what it takes to make it in the scaring profession. It’s not an easy task as Mike and Sully’s relationship starts out on a sour, envious note. Though they fight one another to be the best, they end up forming a bond with each other and some other interesting monster misfits in efforts to thrive and survive perilous situations. They get in trouble with the school, compete in some insane Greek life competitions, face social humiliation, and even work together to get out of the human world. Their shenanigans and misadventures unfortunately get them expelled, but the same optimism and determination that got them through college life got them to their dream jobs!

Walt Disney had once said, “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.” In the nature of any Disney Pixar movie, Monsters University is, of course, an entertaining, family-friendly feel-good movie. And I feel it fulfills Disney’s vision in being a great portrayal college life for being a product of fantasy and imagination. The story line of the movie puts the characters in situations that are very relatable to the college bound and even current college students.

Just starting college can be scary, even though no big, hairy monsters actually roam the campus. The fear may come from being overwhelmed by homesickness, fitting in, facing a new social environment, or high academic expectations. But despite all that, many new college students are like Mike. They may have anxiously awaited and prepared for their opportunity to participate in higher education, and will feel a number of emotions when that time finally comes. They are giddy, excited, in awe and wonder, optimistic and full of plans for their days ahead.

You meet many unique people at college. Jocks, artists, emos, nerds, nontraditional students—college has them all, and they all have their own reasons for attending the same school as you. A big reason might be the programs offered, just as Monsters University offered a prestigious scaring program in which many monster students aspired to participate.  Some students, like Sully, may attend a particular school out of respect to a family legacy. Sully seems to come from a family of scarers well-known to people around the campus. Perhaps he is following in the footsteps of his parents in attending that school.

The important thing Monsters University emphasizes is the measure of success. Certain college programs or even college itself may not be for everyone. If you change majors in college, or if you are unsure of what to pursue, it’s alright. It’s a reality for many. Mike aspired all his life to be a scarer, and he eventually realizes he is not cut out to be one. It doesn’t have to be the end of your life though if that happens to you. Mike took his talents, traits, and his new friend Sully to the bottom rung of Monsters Incorporated and had nowhere to go but up from there. It wasn’t so much a college education and degree that made them the top scaring team of the original movie, but instead it was their determination, talent, and friendship that got them far. Like Mike and Sully, you may not have a college degree, but then again you may not need one. Success is how you achieve your dreams, and you probably already have what it takes to get there!

Monsters University is great for everyone! Current college students or even former college students will enjoy its relation to the life of pursuing higher education. You just might see yourself in the unique characters or relate to their experiences if you’re one of those people. If you’re a high school grad or college-bound, I hope this movie and interesting insight inspires you! Don’t start the next semester until you see this movie! It’s definitely entertaining, and might even make you think on your life, your education, and your thoughts on success.