Fall in the Midwest simply cannot be beat. Colorful leaves falling from trees, the smell of bonfires wafting through the crisp air, Saturdays filled with football and steaming bowls of chili are the epitome of comfort. But it always seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. Before we know it, we’ll be walking around campus in our winter coats and mittens, harsh winds rattling bare branches.
With such a limited time frame to enjoy everything fall has to offer, we’d like to give you a few tips to help you maximize these chilly autumn days. When winter rolls around, you’ll feel like you took advantage of everything that the coziest season has to offer.
Pumpkin Everything
That’s right – everything. Decor, coffee, candles, you name it, it should be pumpkin. Splurge on a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks every now and then – you deserve it. Or, simply add a splash of pumpkin creamer to your thermos of coffee and head to class. That little dash of the season will make you smile as you sit in your lecture hall.
Buy a few pumpkins – fake or real – to add some orange cheer to your apartment or dorm. They’ll remind you of the charm of autumn and fast-approaching Halloween. Light a pumpkin-scented candle in your room so that every time you walk in it’s like entering a heavenly fall oasis. You’ll have enough peppermint and pine scents bombarding you in the coming months—give pumpkin its shining moment.
Spend Time Outside
In a month, you’ll be darting from one building to the next just to get out of the cold for a few seconds. So, take advantage of the days where walks across campus are leisurely and delightful. Study on patios instead of inside stuffy academic buildings. You have plenty of hours in the dimly lit library ahead of you, my friend. Let yourself soak in the fresh air while it’s still bearable.
This weather allows you to whip out your favorite scarves and boots that you’ve been dying to wear for months. Head to your local pumpkin patch or apple orchard and have a fun-filled fall day in style. Sip on apple cider on a tractor ride through an orchard – does anything scream “fall” more than that?
Watch Halloween Movies
Nothing gets you in the fall spirit like watching your favorite Halloween movies. 90’s babies will love Disney classics like Hocus Pocus, Casper Meets Wendy, Twitches and Halloween Town. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, sit on the edge of your seat with horror films like Halloween, Scream, and Carrie. Be sure to have a blanket ready to cover your eyes during these. Whichever type of movie you choose, neither is complete without snacks in hand. Tear open that variety pack of bite-sized candy bars and go to town.
Enjoy Football Season
No one loves football more than Midwesterners. Embrace the fanatic atmosphere that is football season in the Midwest. Go to every game you can, clad in your team’s gear, cheering as loudly as possible. These days will soon be gone. Enjoy all of the free food and booze tailgates have to offer, sipping on spiked apple cider in the crisp air. Or cuddle up on the couch with a piping hot bowl of soup and a crackling fire below the TV as you watch. It doesn’t get cozier than that.