The start of the school year can be an exciting time: You are reunited with your friends, back in your college town and feeling alive again. However, that feeling — and the cash from your summer job — can quickly fade when assignments start piling up, and suddenly you’re wishing for your cozy hometown life again. Here are a few ways to relax, lock in and enjoy your fall on campus this year without breaking the bank.
Take a walk
Grab your headphones, tennis shoes and maybe a light jacket, then head outside.
Although this may seem like a basic idea, taking a break from everyday life to appreciate the natural beauty around you can do wonders for your mindset. Releasing endorphins through light exercise, such as a 20-minute walk, can help reduce stress levels and boost your mood.
With the constantly changing leaves and transforming plants, your walk may look different every day, making it a fun and easy way to appreciate the shifting seasons. For extra fun, take a friend with you and see who can find the prettiest leaf.
Using apps such as AllTrails can help you find walking paths and trails in your area.
When school’s got you down, don’t be afraid to go outside and touch grass — or fall foliage.
Make a playlist
One of the easiest ways to channel your inner main character and romanticize your everyday life is to create a soundtrack to go along with it. Play it while cooking, studying, on the way to class or even during your decompression walk.
When building your playlist, add a festive cover picture that embodies your desired fall aesthetic to really seal the deal.
For inspiration, some of my favorite songs to include on my fall playlists are:
“There She Goes” by The La’s
“Kingston” by Faye Webster
“About You” by The 1975
“October” by Alessia Cara
“Reflecting Light” by Sam Phillips
Decorate with things you already own
Coming home to a cute, cozy space will make your campus fall experience that much more complete. However, there is no need to go buy new decorations.
Grab that leftover construction paper from a class project and fashion a paper chain with fall hues to hang across your room. Light a couple of candles to create ambiance; bonus points if they already have fall scents.
An easy way to make everything look more cohesive is to focus on a color palette: yellows, oranges, browns and some reds are your friends. Merely swapping the blanket draped on the end of your bed and changing out a few of your many throw pillows can make a huge difference in your space.
Natural fibers like wicker baskets and wooden furniture are also great pieces you may not initially think of, but they can help enhance the autumnal vibe.
Library study sessions
Out of all the places you could study during the fall, a library might be the coziest option. The smell of books, entering a warm building after walking through the brisk fall air — what more could you want?
Whether you are enrolled in a university or not, the majority of libraries are free to join and open to the public. Additionally, libraries often have free Wi-Fi and quiet spaces for optimal studying.
A couple of great local options are Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus and Daniel Boone Regional Library.
Go romanticize your life, girl
While university life can seem mundane after a while, you have the opportunity to change your outlook in quick, easy and, most importantly, free ways. Go for a walk to escape some of the pressures of school, take in the world around you, and make a fun playlist to go along with it.