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woman carving a pumpkin
woman carving a pumpkin
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NCSU | Life > Experiences

Sad Girl Autumn: She is Defrosting

Alexandra Byrne Student Contributor, North Carolina State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

As the leaves change color, and pumpkin spice feels are in the air, sad girl autumn is defrosting. Whether you’re looking to embrace the outdoors or enjoy some comforts at home, autumn offers so many activities that capture its charm. Here’s a guide to some activities you can enjoy this lovely season.

1. GO visit a Pumpkin Patch and Carve Pumpkins

Pumpkin patches are a quintessential fall activity for anyone. Spend a day at your local farm, pick out the perfect pumpkin, and take part in the joy of carving it into a fun or spooky design. In the triangle area, you can visit Page farms and Philip farms to enjoy your pumpkin picking for both being under $20 and this includes a perfect pumpkin for you.

2. Take on a Scenic Hike to See the Beautiful Fall Foliage

One of the most natural displays during fall is the vibrant array of reds, oranges, and yellows that sweep the trees. Lace-up your boots and take a hiking trail to experience the beauty of autumn foliage up close. To experience the foliage near Raleigh, venture to Lake Johnson or Bond Lake where you can paddle board, hike, and bike your way through the fall leaves.

3. Go Apple Picking this october

Apple orchards are always a great activity to enjoy in the fall and a fun activity for families, couples, or groups of friends. Many orchards offer varieties of apples perfect for baking, juicing, or simply enjoying as a crisp snack. Afterward, you can make homemade apple pies, applesauce, or caramel apples. If you care to appreciate the apple-picking season, try stopping by Page Farms or the Perkins Orchard in Raleigh

4. Gather around a Campfire and Make S’mores

Perhaps you want to gather around a campfire with friends and family. Bring out the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for a s’mores-making session, and maybe even tell a few spooky stories as Halloween approaches. The burning flames, the scent of wood smoke, and the feeling of being bundled up outside create a magical fall atmosphere that can’t be beaten to share with some lovely friends.

5. Enjoy a Fall-Themed Movie Marathon

When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing better than curling up with a blanket and watching fall-themed movies. Classics like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Charlie Brown, or the Twilight Saga (for my vampire girlies) marathon can set the perfect autumn mood. Perhaps you also want to make some homemade popcorn and hot cocoa, and you have a cozy movie night that captures the essence of the season.

From all the sorts of fall comforts you could experience this fall, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the season’s beauty and warmth. Whether you’re hiking through colorful forests, enjoying festive activities with your loved ones, or attending a local festival, fall is a time to embrace all the joy it has to offer.

Alexandra Byrne

NCSU '27

Alexandra Byrne is a Editor-In-Chief of Her Campus at North Carolina State University. This is her third year with Her Campus as of 2025. As the Editor-in-Chief, I confidently lead all chapter writers and editors with a touch of flair. I craft our chapter’s campus-specific editorial strategy, supported by HCHQ, with the ultimate goal of driving traffic to the fabulous articles published by my team. I meticulously top edit and serve as the final eyes on all chapter editorial content, ensuring our editorial calendar is approved and that content expectations and guidelines are met with style and precision.
Other than contributing to Her Campus, Alexandra was an active member of her high school's student government. Establishing leadership, community service events, and understanding the importance of equity in governing roles. She so then became an active member of her school's Genders and Sexualities Alliance club, in which greater expanded her support for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as hosting school fundraiser events for her local community. Alexandra has a huge green thumb. While being a part of her school's Earth Club, her love mother nature grew. She has contributed to the funds and support of her high school's building of a greenhouse, and so then helped her local community understand the whole heartly importance of sustainability. Alexandra is a Junior at NC State University with the intended major of Business Administration. In the next years, she aims to travel as much as possible, and love the career planned for her in the near future.
Now here is a little more insight of who Alexandra really is about. Alexandra was born and raised in Concord, North Carolina. She is the oldest of three daughters, so it is safe to say she knows a thing or two about how to share with others. She absolutely loves to go on a spree at any local thrift store among her radius, sipping on iced coffee, reading romance books, and sharing laughs with her close friends. Alexandra is a heavy music listener. She enjoys relating to the entirely of Taylor Swifts and Phoebe Bridgers discography, attending any underground concert she can find, and making thoughtful playlists for her friends.