As soon as September rolls around, I am officially starting to get into the fall spirit. Even though the weather in Texas does not quite scream fall yet, I do everything in my power to make sure that when fall actually DOES begin to appear, I am more than ready. This being said, I have a few fool-proof ways to get you ready for a cozy fall season.
1. Try out fall drinks at the local coffee shops.
As an avid coffee drinker and fall lover myself, I am always incredibly excited when the new fall menus are released in September. While Starbucks is always a good option and I do love the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, I always find it fun to try fall drinks from smaller, local coffee shops when I can. My favorite so far has definitely been Polite, a cute little coffee shop in an antique house in Downtown Bryan. I have yet to try all of their fall drinks, but I would personally recommend the Apple Pie Latte or the Polite Spice for those who have never been. While I’m sure all of your hometowns have cute coffee shops that you often go to, trying out new ones around College Station is a foolproof way to find some great new study spots and try a variety of delicious fall lattes.
2. Make (or just listen to) a Fall Playlist.
Music is a huge part of my everyday life, and I love curating specific playlists based on my mood, the season, or just the vibe I’m feeling when I listen to it. Because of that, I absolutely have to make a fall playlist to get into the spirit of the season. I have had many playlists built over my high school years, each one very specific to my mood and the season at the time. Not only are playlists great at the moment, but they are also so fun to look back at after a couple years to see how your music taste has grown and changed. I have already started my fall playlist, full of Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, The Neighborhood, and many more of my favorite artists that remind me of fall. If making playlists is not your thing, there are so many good options of other people’s playlists on whatever music platform you listen to, so just find what works for you!
3. Walk Around Downtown Bryan.
If you have never been to the farmers market in Downtown Bryan on Saturday, you are missing out on a cute, local market with a variety of foods and goods to buy. The last time I went, I bought homemade naan from one of the vendors and it was the perfect thing to go with my hummus addiction. Even if none of the food interests you, there are tables selling jewelry, soap, and even floral bouquets. After you’re finished shopping at the market, it is also fun to stroll the downtown streets and check out the little stores and restaurants. At least for me, one of my favorite things to do back home was to go to the Downtown Farmers Market on a crisp fall Saturday. The Farmers Market and surrounding stores in Downtown Bryan was the perfect remedy to me missing the markets back home. If you’re looking for something to do on a Saturday morning, Downtown Bryan is the place to be!
4. Watch Your Favorite Fall TV Shows.
Watching the shows that remind me of fall is one of my favorite parts of the season. In my humble opinion, Gilmore Girls is the obvious choice. This show just embodies the season – the small town, the copious amounts of books and coffee, and just the overall warmth and love really shows the spirit of the season. But, if that isn’t your style, I also love FRIENDS, Full House, and Boy Meets World. There is something about the ‘90s family sitcom feel that is just so warm and comforting to me, perfect for watching in the fall. No matter what you’re watching, I swear by the fact that a good comforting TV show will make it feel like it’s fall, even when it’s still practically a million degrees outside.
5. Buy a New A&M Sweatshirt!
One of my ALL TIME favorite parts of fall is getting to wear my sweatshirts and sweaters. I mean, my whole closet is basically sweatshirts and sweaters. However, that fact does not stop me from buying new ones whenever I see a cute, soft, perfectly oversized sweatshirt. While I have plenty of A&M sweatshirts, they were not as easily accessible to buy at home. Now that I’m in College Station, I basically have unlimited options to buy myself new sweatshirts. So, this fall season, get into the spirit by treating yourself to some new warm and cozy A&M gear!
Whether it’s finding a new coffee shop, watching TV, or buying a great, new A&M sweatshirt, there are countless ways to get into the fall spirit in College Station. As a freshman still figuring out the best spots around campus and around town, I love discovering new places and finding fun, local things to do as fall approaches. I hope you’ll embrace the cozy season and join me in the journey of exploring College Station!