October is a tricky month. It’s the first month with a full fall season, and contains three of my favorite things: pumpkins, Halloween, and red leaves. Unfortunately, it’s also the crazy month of midterms. But while you’re studying and silently cursing your history professor, make sure you don’t miss out on the things that you should do in October. In between frantically racking through flashcards and typing up pages and pages of essay after essay, be sure to…
GET IN THE MOOD
First of all, there’s no way you can enjoy all that October has to offer if you don’t embrace the goodness that is the fall. Start getting caramel apple ciders or pumpkin spice lattes at Espresso Royale, stock up on scarves, find leaves to press in your leaf book (everyone has one, right?). And if you have time, decorate your apartment or dorm. Last week, for example, I bought a mini-pumpkin for only a dollar on the Quad, and now I’m kind of in the mood to deck out the rest of my apartment, October-style.
VISIT A HAUNTED HOUSE
October is all about clutching your friends in terror while you wander through a mansion filled with possessed spirits and ghouls. Some quality haunted houses are close to CU, including the Haunted Dungeon and the Fear Factory Haunted House, both in Rantoul. And if you don’t feel like paying to be scared silly, consider running through the man-made haunted house during the October Illinites on Oct 21.
SHIFT THROUGH THRFT STORES
The best holiday in the American world (besides Presents Day and Acceptable Binge Day) falls at the end of October. However, don’t wait ‘till October 28 to find the perfect costume (trust me: It’ll put you on the frustration scale between losing your keys and studying for quantum physics). Start looking for your costumes early in the month. And instead of spending half of our salary on a costume at Dallas, grab a group of friends and head to thrift stores around the CU area, such as the Salvation Army near the mall. Though you won’t find a perfect packaged outfit, you can hunt for pieces that could make your costume unique without costing you tons.
LIVE IT UP AT THE PINK PARTY
Thanks to our perseverance to voting, creating multiple accounts and our general sheer awesomeness, we won the Victoria’s Secret PINK Collegiate Contest over the schools who mistakenly thought their swag was better than ours (I’m looking at you Virginia Tech), and received the Fighting Illini Fest: an outdoor PINK party that’s taking place this month. Oct. 20 promises a limited edition T-shirt, free swag and Pink Models. Plus, the fact that Girl Talk is the main act means they’ll be a lot of crazy raving and dancing, perfect for closing out the month strong.
Of course, this is just a highly suggested list, as there are probably a million other fall things for you to do in CU. Just don’t forget to get out there and enjoy the start of the season. U of I in October is gorgeous, and it’s beckoning you to enjoy it.