There’s something magical about going home for fall break. Maybe it’s the familiar smell of your childhood room, your favorite local food spot waiting for you, or the chance to sleep without worrying about an 8 a.m. the next day. No matter why you’re excited to be home, this short break is the perfect opportunity to mix rest with productivity, making sure you walk back onto campus feeling refreshed and a little more put together than before. Here are some of the best things to do when you go home for fall break, whether you’re trying to relax, catch up, or glow up.
1. Catch Up on Real Sleep
Let’s be honest, college sleep is not real sleep. Between late-night study sessions, club meetings, and social life, most of us are basically running on iced coffee and willpower. Fall break is the moment to reclaim your sleep schedule. Grab your favorite blanket, turn off your alarms, and let your body recover. You’d be surprised how much a couple of nights of real rest can improve your mood, energy, and even your skin.
2. Get a Head Start on Scholarship Applications
It may not be the most glamorous thing on your fall break to-do list, but scholarships are essential. Tuition, books, housing, and fees add up quickly, and applying for scholarships now can save you major stress later. Use the quiet of being home to find new opportunities, update your resume, and perfect your essays. Even applying to just two or three scholarships over the break can make a difference. Future you, and your bank account, will be grateful.
3. Reconnect With Family and Friends
Going home means stepping back into the world of people who’ve known you long before college. Whether it’s catching up with your siblings, having a long talk with your mom, or hanging out with your hometown best friends, reconnecting with loved ones can be grounding. These conversations remind you of your roots, your progress, and the support system you always have behind you.
4. Cook or Eat Your Favorite Comfort Foods
Food just hits different at home. Maybe it’s your grandma’s cornbread, your dad’s pasta, or that one restaurant on the corner that knows your order by heart. Fall break is the best time to indulge in your comfort meals, try a new recipe, or even learn how to cook something you’ve always wanted. There’s true joy in eating a warm meal that feels like home.
5. Reset Your Space (and Yourself)
Take a little time to reorganize your room, clean out old clothes, or switch your wardrobe for the cooler weather. A reset doesn’t just apply to your physical space, it can also mean journaling, reflecting, or simply giving yourself space to breathe. Use the break to check in with where you are mentally and emotionally.
6. Spend Time Outside
Fall is too beautiful to ignore. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, visit a local pumpkin patch, or have a cozy outdoor picnic. Sometimes just stepping outside in the cool, crisp air reminds you how refreshing simplicity can be.
7. Do Absolutely Nothing (And Don’t Feel Bad About It)
One of the biggest gifts of fall break is the freedom to just exist. No assignments. No deadlines. No routine. If you want to lay on the couch watching movies or scrolling TikTok for hours, do it. Rest is productive too.