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U Mass Amherst | Culture

Sweater Weather & Getting Your Life Together: Your Sign to Have a Fall Reset

Alexandra Bills Student Contributor, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

New season, a fresh start and finally getting your life together (or at least trying to!)

There is just something about fall that makes me want to get my life together. Maybe it is the cooler weather, wearing my favorite sweaters, getting an iced coffee even when it is freezing outside or convincing myself that this is finally going to be the semester I have my entire life organized. Whatever it is, fall always feels like the perfect excuse for a little reset. Between classes, work, club meetings and trying to have a social life, it can be so easy to feel like you are constantly playing catch-up. Sometimes, you just need a weekend to slow down, get organized and feel like yourself again.

Give Your Space a Little Fall Refresh

I swear that cleaning my room makes me feel like I have my entire life together, even if I still have 20 things on my to-do list. Start by putting away your laundry, changing your sheets, clearing off your desk, and getting rid of all those random cups sitting around your room.

You do not need to spend a ton of money to make your space feel different. Add a cozy blanket, light a fall candle, put on a playlist, and enjoy having a clean space to relax or get work done.

Make a To-Do List You Can Actually Finish

If your to-do list looks anything like mine, it probably has a million things on it that you have been putting off. Instead of stressing yourself out trying to do everything at once, write down what actually needs to get done.

Maybe that means catching up on an assignment, responding to emails, or finally organizing your calendar. Pick three priorities for the day and start there. You do not have to accomplish everything in one afternoon to feel productive!

Romanticize Your Everyday Routine

A college girl’s routine of classes, club meetings and work can start to feel monotonous, so fall is the perfect time to invite a positive light onto it. Whether that starts with a cozy fall playlist, or a cute, curated fall outfit and accessories, adding some fall spirit can help liven your semester.

Get Back Into a Routine That Works for You

Between classes, homework and everything else going on, it can be hard to find a routine that actually sticks. Maybe you have been staying up too late, putting off homework until the last minute or spending more time scrolling on your phone.

Fall is a good time to figure out what is and is not working. Try planning your week on Sunday, planning all of your outfits, packing your bag the night before, or making time for something you enjoy outside of school.

You do not need to wake up at 5 a.m. or have a perfectly planned morning to be productive. You should find small habits that make your days easier and work for you.

Make Plans and Give Yourself Some Grace

Getting your life together is not just about checking things off a list. You also need things to look forward to! Plan a fall day with friends, visit a pumpkin patch, go apple picking, bake pumpkin bread or find a new cafe to try.

At the same time, remember that you don’t have to have everything figured out. It is easy to see everyone’s perfectly organized lives on social media and feel like you’re falling behind, but everyone has their own timeline. You’re allowed to have messy weeks, skip a workout, or spend a Saturday doing absolutely nothing, trust me.

At the end of the day, sweater weather is about more than cute outfits and pumpkin-flavored everything. It is a chance to slow down, reset, and make the most of the season you’re in. So put on your favorite sweater, grab your coffee, and start wherever you are. Your fall reset doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes, a few small changes are all you need to feel a little more put together!

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Alexandra Bills

U Mass Amherst '28

Hi! My name is Alexandra Bills, and I am a junior at UMass Amherst studying business management.