There is something about fall that makes everything feel a little different. The weather is cooler; the leaves start changing and falling. Suddenly, I find my life slowing down a little, outside of school, of course.
We usually think of January as the season for fresh starts. It is when everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, sets new goals and convinces themselves that this will finally be the year they become the most productive version of themselves.
But honestly, I think fall deserves some of that credit, too.
Maybe it is because fall naturally brings a change in routine. Summer is over, classes are back and life starts feeling a little more structured again. After months of having a more relaxed schedule, there is something comforting about getting back into a routine.
For me, fall has always felt like a chance to reset. I start thinking about what I want to accomplish, the habits I want to get back into and the things I may have put off during the summer.
It is almost like getting a second chance at the year.
There is also something about the change in weather that makes me want to slow down. Summer can feel busy and nonstop with the internships and jobs I had. Fall has a completely different energy. I want to put on a sweatshirt, grab a warm drink, take a walk around campus or spend a night watching a movie.
Even the smallest things feel more exciting in the fall.
Getting dressed in the morning becomes more fun when I can finally wear sweaters again. Going to class feels a little different when the leaves are changing. Football games, Halloween plans and fall events give me something to look forward to.
I think that is part of why fall feels like such a fresh start. It is not necessarily about completely changing your life. Sometimes, it is simply about appreciating the little changes happening around you.
As a college student, I also think fall has a way of making time feel more noticeable. Every semester brings new classes, new experiences and new memories. You can feel yourself getting older while everything around you continues to change.
Especially during senior year, that feeling is even stronger.
There is something bittersweet about realizing that this is one of your last fall semesters as a college student. I find myself wanting to slow down and appreciate things I might normally overlook because I know I will not always have another fall at Penn State waiting for me.
At the same time, I do not want to put pressure on myself to make this fall perfect.
A fresh start does not have to mean becoming a completely different person. It does not mean suddenly having everything figured out or accomplishing every goal you set for yourself.
Sometimes, a fresh start can simply mean getting back into a routine. It can mean spending more time with people you love, trying something new or giving yourself permission to enjoy the season.
Maybe that is what I like most about fall. It reminds me that things are always changing, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.
The leaves change. The weather changes. Our lives change, too. We do not always know what the next season will bring, but there is something exciting about starting it anyway.