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

1. Buy a cute pair of boots 

Boots are an autumn wardrobe essential. With choices ranging from a trendy pair of Chelsea boots to functional rain boots, this fab footwear fits every personality. Whether you’re kicking through fall leaves or kicking down your door after your roommate has sexiled you (again), boots are the perfect way to complete an outfit. Just be sure not to spend more than $20 on them because after two miserable days of sweating through your socks in an attempt to “break them in” despite blisters the size of quarters, you’ll probably never wear them again. 

2. Treat yourself to a PSL 

Pumpkin spice lattes are a fall must-have. Don’t let the stigma of a society that shames coffee-drinkers steer you away from this tasty treat. In fact, this “basic” drink is probably more complex and desirable than the last three guys you matched with on Tinder. There’s no reason to be embarrassed ordering this delish delight unless you have toilet paper stuck to your shoe while you’re standing in line. You deserve this PSL because, let’s be honest, black coffee tastes like dishwater. 

3. Decorate your dorm

Fall décor will make any dreary dorm room into an autumnal wonderland. You could try some DIY fall crafts you found on Pinterest, but you won’t have any of the materials on hand, and after a trip to the craft store, you’ll realize you don’t have the talent or patience to cut three dozen leaves out of construction paper anyway. Guilt trip your roommate into buying candy corn and plastic pumpkins at Walmart by having a mental breakdown when the hot glue gun stops working for the seventh time. 

4. Have a girl’s night 

There is nothing more relaxing than a night in with your friends. “I deserve this,” you’ll say as you put on the third ninety-nine cent face mask you’ve done that day. Your friends will all nod in agreement. With midterms that you haven’t studied for, a paper in every class, and a presentation in a language you’re not sure you speak right around the corner, your greatest accomplishment is your ability to procrastinate in the name of self-care. 

5. Watch a scary movie

Halloween is just weeks away, so it’s time to get into the ~spooky~ mood. Horror movies are the perfect way to get the adrenaline rush you need to get through this semester without dropping out. Horror movies are also great for inviting over that girl you have a crush on, putting your arm around her when she gets scared, and then awkwardly ghosting her because the one thing more terrifying than horror movies is commitment. 

6. Put everything in a mug 

Literally everything. Drinks, soups, coins, pens, plants, you name it. You haven’t eaten out of a bowl in weeks. Your bathroom sink is lined with crusty, cocoa-caked mugs. You’ve never seen half of them before. Where did they come from? What was in them? Why are mugs associated with fall anyway? When did you last leave your room? When was the last time you slept a full eight hours? Is this just your life now? 

Nellie Hultman is currently a sophomore at Soka University of America where she is studying Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is the Campus Correspondent for the Her Campus chapter at Soka. After living in 6 countries, she has developed a love for traveling, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and trying new foods (lots of it). She hopes to continue traveling the world throughout her life. She plans to attend law school after college, and she desires to build a life focused on inspiring, empowering, and serving others. When she’s not doing homework or thinking about ways to change the world, you can find her researching unsolved crimes, singing in the car, watching Seinfeld… or eating.