There is something so special about fall in Blacksburg that makes even a 5-minute walk to class feel a little bit more exciting. The leaves are changing, maroon and orange become everybody’s weekend uniform, and suddenly, getting hot instead of ice coffee in sweater weather feels like an activity.
But between exams, club meetings, and figuring out what you want to do with your life after graduation (or even just next Friday), it’s easy for the semester to fly by. Whether it’s your first fall at Virginia Tech or you’re already getting sentimental about it being your last, here’s a checklist for making the most of it.
☐ Have a full Hokie game day
Wear your favorite maroon and orange outfit, take pictures with your friends, and give yourself enough time to enjoy the day before kickoff. Then, if you’re heading into Lane Stadium, put your phone down for “Enter Sandman.” Some moments deserve your full attention, even if your camera roll disagrees.
☐ Take the scenic route to class
We spend way too much time rushing around campus so that it’s really easy to forget to look around. We have one of the most beautiful and unique campuses, and on a day where you have a few extra minutes, I recommend you take a longer walk. Notice the fall colors and really appreciate getting to go to school somewhere that’s pretty. You might still be on your way to an exam, but at least you can make the walk nice.
☐ Plan a fall day with your friends
The group chat has been saying “we should go to a pumpkin patch” for weeks. This is your sign to pick a date. Whether you choose pumpkin picking, a farmers’ market, or a movie night with seasonal snacks, get something on the calendar before everyone’s schedules fill up again.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Painting pumpkins at your kitchen table absolutely counts.
☐ Find your fall study spot
A change of scenery is not going to write your paper for you, but it might make starting it a little bit easier. Maybe try a different spot around campus, a building you haven’t been in. Find a cozy cafe or study outside while the weather still allows it, and Blacksburg winter isn’t here yet. Bring a friend if you can work together but be honest with yourself about whether that’s going to happen.
☐ Do one thing that gets you off campus
It’s surprisingly easy to spend the entire semester moving between the same buildings. Take the chance to explore downtown Blacksburg, plan a scenic drive, and take a walk somewhere new. If you’re feeling more adventurous, organize a hike and try to enjoy the fall views.
You don’t need a whole weekend away to feel like you’ve had a break.
☐ Make a comfort meal
By the middle of the semester, dinner can start to feel like one more assignment. Pick an evening to make something you’re excited to eat soup, pasta, chili, or a favorite meal from home. Invite friends over and ask everyone to bring something.
Bonus points if there are leftovers for the next day, when you inevitably have less motivation to cook.
☐ Go to something you normally wouldn’t
Attend a club event, support a friend’s performance, or check out an activity on campus you have walked by so many times before. You don’t have to commit to a whole new organization or discover a new lifelong passion. Sometimes it’s enough to just have a fun evening and meet someone outside of your usual circle.
☐ Give yourself a semester check-in
Somewhere between the fun plans, take a little time to see how you’re doing. Check out your upcoming deadlines, think about next semester’s classes, and reach out for help with anything you’ve been putting off.
Then ask yourself something beyond academics: Are you getting enough rest? Seeing your friends? Making time for things you enjoy? Your calendar should have room for you, too.
☐ Document the ordinary moments
Take the roommate picture. Save the blurry game-day photo. Capture your coffee run, walk home, and the leaves outside your building. The big events are easy to remember, but the everyday parts of college deserve a place in your camera roll, too.
☐ Leave a little space for spontaneity
A checklist is fun, but you don’t have to turn it into another set of deadlines. Say yes to the last-minute dinner invitation or spend an evening doing absolutely nothing with your roommates. You might not check every box this semester, and that’s okay.
Just make a few plans you’ll look forward to and leave enough room for the memories you couldn’t have scheduled.