After quite a long month of scorching heat, humidity and rainy days, October is settling in, and the fall weather is finally here! Fall is my favorite season, with the crisp wind, the changing leaves, and sweater weather. It’s time to channel our inner Rory Gilmore! While romanticizing can be fun and distracting, it is important to remember the college grind has already begun, and we still have a ways to go. Freshmen settling into their routines are already studying and writing essays left and right, while seniors are fine-tuning their resumes to search for job opportunities.Â
But what does romanticizing your life even mean? From my perspective, it is envisioning things in an idealistic way to make them feel more appealing. After the high energy of summer and living off of adventure or relaxation, fall is the perfect season for a fresh start and a transformation! The crisp fall aesthetic is a convenient perk to flourish your romanticizing; however, we want to keep this romanticization in check this semester. Even if we are already busy and have a packed schedule, realistically romanticizing our fall semester can ease the stress!Â
So here are the two categories that have room for REALISTIC romanticizing: your day-to-day routines and your persona.Â
I am somewhat of a control freak and love to be organized and punctual. What better way to do that than to establish my own routines? Self-care is very important amidst the fall stress and homesickness, so let’s talk about practices that can help. In the morning, you can start journaling and practicing gratitude while cozied up in a knit sweater with a warm cup of tea. Buy a solid notebook or even use your iPad/computer to write to-do lists, goals for the day, or anything on your mind. Give yourself 5-10 extra minutes to feel this moment, either in your bed while the sun is rising or outside in the cold breeze.
On your way to class, a meeting or a study group, appreciate the fall foliage: the red and orange leaves, the right amount of sunlight, and the cool gusts of wind. Create a fall playlist for your main character moment, setting the tone for your morning or evening. Whether you are studying for a test or finishing up homework, visit the libraries around the city or on campus, with their ornate look and dim lighting. Even local cafès and bakeries have the perfect ambiance to have a relaxing yet focused study session. And, if you have time in your weekly schedule, find a random farmer’s market or go on a nature walk in Morningside or Central Park. It is important to have some structure for your school work, but also to make time to explore the fall aesthetic yourself.
As for your own autumn aesthetic, there are many ways to transform into Rory Gilmore or Harry Potter, but I’ll narrow it down to a few achievable and college-friendly ones. Settling into the fall weather calls for creating a mood board, either with old magazines or on Pinterest. This will give you even more inspiration to romanticize your fall semester in your unique way. On Pinterest, there are a bunch of cute and minimal ideas to spruce up your dorm for that autumn look. Orange garlands, string lights, a fall-themed quilt, or a sunset lamp are all creative ways to get into that cozy vibe! My last piece of advice would be to use the city to your advantage. To top off your overall aesthetic, attend fall campus events! Or, adventure downtown to one of the many parks that always have something going on this time of year. Whether that be fall festivals, square dancing, or apple cider making, there is something for everyone!
Romanticizing is taking your daydreams to the next level and could be fun to execute during the fall semester in a realistic way. Amongst all the sweaters, boots, scarves, and hot coffees, leave enough time for yourself for classes and whatnot! Best of luck to us as we make our way through the fall of 2025!