With the first week of October already underway and the leaves beginning to change color all over campus, there’s no denying it: fall is upon us! Here are 5 ways to slow down from the stress of midterms and get ~festive~ to enjoy this short but beautiful season:
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Get in the Halloween spirit! This means carefully planning costumes (extra points if they’re homemade), stocking up on and binge eating your favorite candy, watching scary movies, and decorating your dorm room (the little mini pumpkins are my favorite). Planning to attend festive events like haunted houses can also be a fun way to get off campus and in spirit! Or, if you’re like me and are terrified of haunted houses, try this pumpkin blaze instead: https://www.facebook.com/events/232238004039429/
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Go apple picking with your friends! This is a classic: pick apples, pumpkins, go on a hayride, try a corn maze…and apple cider and cider donuts are mandatory. So are cute fall pictures. Come home with enough apples to last you a month, plus some extra for an apple pie. There are tons of orchards in Rhode Island, here are 11 to look into: https://www.rimonthly.com/11-places-to-go-apple-picking-in-rhode-island/
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Food. Welcome to the season of pumpkin spice flavored everything. Go get yourself a pumpkin chai (the one at Teas and Javas is amazing, or try Tea Luxe’s “chaider” – cider chai) Keep in mind: Thanksgiving is just around the corner and brings a whole new type of fall food to the game, so be sure to take advantage of the various ‘fall flavored’ foods.
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Take a walk. This can be a great way to de-stress and relax. Enjoy the view and take in all the fresh crisp air you can… slow down and appreciate the beauty of this season before the trees turn bare and you’re shivering and rushing to get back to class.
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Dress the part — Sweater weather is upon us! Wear all the flannels, booties, scarves, and sweaters your heart desires (bonus points for combining them all into one, festive fall outfit).
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Enjoy the brisk and rainy weather: let it be your excuse to curl up and watch a movie (or perhaps a thanksgiving special of your favorite TV show). Enjoy being finally able to hide under your comforter without sweating or falling asleep holding your fan — personally, I like leaving the window open for the cool breeze and burrowing myself under the covers.
Nature is showing off for you; let it have its moment and enjoy it, especially before the winter hits and you never want to go outside. Ever again. So grab your friends and get festive!