Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! There are so many things to look forward to from tailgating to seeing the leaves change colors on the trees. I even get excited for sweatshirt season — there is nothing better than wearing an oversized sweatshirt and leggings to class. It’s also nice how you can walk to class without breaking a sweat (I am always that student that shows up drenched in sweat after walking to class). But fall is also a time for new beginnings. The school year has just started, so it’s a time to break out of your shell and try new things and meet new people. No matter how long you’ve been on this campus, there are always new and exciting people to meet.
A drawback for most college students is trying to spend money wisely. There are so many things that require our hard-earned money on campus; it can be challenging to decide what is worth it and what isn’t. Fall is a season that you can spend a lot of time outdoors, which, lucky for us, saves a lot of money, but also allows you to have a lot of fun. Here are some of my favorite pastimes in the fall, and they are all budget-friendly!
Try Starbucks’ Fall Flavors
Starbucks is everyone’s favorite coffee shop, especially in the fall. All their seasonal flavors come out, which has everyone rushing to try Pumpkin Spice anything. Some of my favorite fall Starbucks’ drinks include: Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Salted Carmel Mochas and Chile Mochas. I highly suggest trying these fall drinks to find your favorite.
Spend Time Outside
Fall is the best time to be outside, as it is neither too hot nor too cold. Grab a sweatshirt and head for the outdoors. Some of my favorite things to do outside in the fall include having bonfires, making s’mores and jumping in piles of leaves with little kids. Bonfires are a great way to spend time with others while appreciating the great outdoors. And don’t forget the s’mores!
Go to a Football Game
Football is the sport of fall. There is nothing better than cheering on the Hawks on game day or going home to see your high school team play an old rival. Football never gets old, especially if you’re a Hawkeye!
Watch Halloween Movies
One of my favorite pasttimes in the fall is watching Halloween movies. There are so many good ones out there that many of us grew up watching, such as Halloweentown (my favorite!) or Hocus Pocus. I can watch these movies over and over again, and they never get old. Some of my suggestions are all 4 Halloweentown movies, Hocus Pocus, Casper and old Disney Channel classics, like Don’t Look Under the Bed and Under Wraps.
Make Halloween Treats
A way to anyone’s heart is through their appetite. Halloween is the national holiday of sweets and treats, and what better way to celebrate than making some sweet treats of your own? Some delicious Halloween treats include: cookies, popcorn balls, kettle corn and pumpkin bars. Pinterest is always a great place to look up some original fall recipes.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
If you have not yet visited a pumpkin patch, do it! They are seriously so much fun and are a great place to take cute fall pictures. There are many places around Iowa City where you can pick pumpkins, and the best part is carving the pumpkin after.
Carving Pumpkins
Last but not least, my favorite fall tradition is carving pumpkins. Something about digging my hands in the gooey insides of a pumpkin just tells me its fall. If you’re not into getting dirty, you can always paint a pumpkin instead. Decorating pumpkins is a great way to celebrate fall.
Fall is such a fun time of year! There are so many fun activites and things to do. These are some of my favorite traditions and activities to do in the fall, and I hope you all get a chance to splurge in at least one. Hope you all have an amazing fall!