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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UC Berkeley chapter.

Can you believe that fall officially started only last week? It can seem especially unreal considering the weather is still warm. But with midterms arriving soon and Halloween just around the corner, it’s important we don’t miss out on savoring the taste of autumn before winter greets us. 

Heart made out of fall leaves.
Photo by Roman Kraft from Unsplash

Here is a list of things you can do to get into the fall spirit:

  1. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Buy a pumpkin scented candle. If your dorm doesn’t allow candles, order a pumpkin flavored iced coffee from Starbucks.
  1. Start pulling out those sweaters from the back of your closet.
  1. Go out! Take more evening walks, start experiencing more nightlife like bars (if you’re 21 and you drink), browse bookstores, stargaze, hike with a group of your friends (the Big C at night is amazing!), and watch comedy shows in San Francisco. 
  1. If you have crystals, don’t be shy! Tap into your inner witch and charge those bad girls under the moonlight. 
  1. In honor of Halloween approaching, make a list of spooky movies to watch during October. 
  1. Create a cozy morning routine! 
  1. If it’s the weekend, sleep in. It’s normal to get stressed and obsessed with hyper-productivity, but our bodies really do appreciate it when we can give it more leniency. 
  1. Build an autumn playlist, a halloween playlist, and if you really want to go all out, make a christmas playlist super early. 
  1. Colors! Remember that dark orange long sleeve you buried because you were too afraid it would scream pumpkins and skeletons? Time to let it see the light of day. Browns, golds, reds, oranges, and mustard yellows are a go!
  1.  Fall themed treats! The controversial classic candy corn, fall themed cookies, hot chocolate, and all things ginger and cinnamon are certain to make you fall for fall. Baking your own treats is also a surefire way to celebrate the season. 
  1.  Have you started brainstorming your Halloween costume yet? If not, get to work!
  1.  While pumpkin patches may not be open, your local grocery store is bound to sell a cute mini one! Place it on your desk or dresser to give your room a festive look. 
  1.  Read, read, read! There’s nothing that quite says fall like cozying up with a good book. 
  1.  Make a list of new sights to see in your area, and go see at least one each week.
  1.  Play flashlight tag or any other game you can think of with your friends under the stars. 

We can all get too caught up in thinking about time in terms of “this semester” or “this quarter.” Truly, it may feel as if the only relevant thing happening is our slow march to graduation. However, denying ourselves the enjoyment of seasons, holidays, and the changes that happen around us can be harmful to our experience of life in the long run. 

So take breaks, reward yourself, and discover ways to make the most of this spooky season!

Sarah Laver

UC Berkeley '22