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A computer and coffee sit on a brightly lit table.
A computer and coffee sit on a brightly lit table.
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SBU | Life

How to Romanticize Your First Few Weeks Back on Campus

Madelyn Skender Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Welcome back, Bonnies!

While I enjoyed my summer, there’s something exciting about coming back to campus and getting a fresh start for a new semester. 

Here is how I plan to romanticize my life this semester, and I think you should too!

  1. Wear a cute outfit every day 

Honestly, I totally stole this idea from one of my best friends. She recommended to wear a cute outfit every day to try and avoid the inevitable slump that sneaks up on you at the start of winter. Picking out a cute matching set, or putting on my favorite jeans in the morning, gives me something to look forward to. A bonus is that I feel more awake at 8 a.m. this semester – my motto is always “look good, feel good”. 

  1. Get a fun drink 

I’m a sucker for a fun drink. Every other week my friends and I like to treat ourselves to some variation of a “fun drink”. Sometimes we try a new local coffee place, other times we stop at Starbucks and get our usuals. Either way, it’s a great way to get off campus and something I always find myself looking forward to. 

  1. Make a new semester playlist 

I always find myself listening to the same few songs on repeat and quickly getting sick of them. This semester, I decided to make a new playlist for my junior year. I plan to use it for when I am studying, cleaning the room, or even driving around Olean with my friends. I like to think that I managed to curate the perfect playlist for a multitude of adventures and moods.

  1. Watch a campus sunset

I am definitely biased, but I think that Bonaventure has some of the prettiest sunsets. Whether it’s from the dorm room, or on the Allegheny trail, I always feel more at peace once I’ve enjoyed my first Bonaventure sunset back. It’s also a great excuse to hang out with friends! 

  1. Join a new club

This year I made it a goal to join a few more clubs on campus. Getting involved on campus is never a bad thing, and it’s always exciting to put yourself out there. I picked one new club this semester to get involved in, and I already find myself looking forward to the meetings! I always enjoy meeting new people and making new connections on campus. I also feel like having something to look forward to makes the week go smoother. 

  1. Make plans you look forward to

Having things to look forward to always seems to make the week fly by. My friends and I like to plan movie nights, or girls’ nights to look forward to. I plan workouts throughout the week that I look forward to, and date night with my boyfriend is always one of my favorite things to look forward to. Even when I have a busy week ahead, knowing that I have something fun planned makes it feel a little easier – and much more exciting!


Romanticizing your life doesn’t need to involve doing anything extravagant. Sometimes, it’s the small things that end up making life the most exciting. College can get busy quickly, so finding small moments to savor and making the most of your time on campus is so important.

I hope you’ll find one, or maybe even a few, new ideas to try this semester. Happy fall semester, Bonnies! 🍂

Madelyn Skender

SBU '28

Madelyn is a new member of the St. Bonaventure Her Campus Chapter - this is her first semester writing for them. She plans on writing about a variety of things - College life, friendships, her go to coffee order, and everything in between.

Madelyn is a Sophomore at St Bonaventure University, majoring in Adolescent Education with a concentration in English. She also works at the Writing Lab on campus, offering support for students taking English classes. She has enjoyed observing in the local Middle and High Schools in Olean as a part of her education courses as well. She is very excited to be joining Her Campus so that she can build connections and friendship with other girls on campus!

Outside of classes, Madelyn likes to study in the library, go running on the trail behind campus, work her part time waitressing job, and run her small nail business. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, reading novels, and watching her favorite movies/tv shows.