From cozy hobbies to festive events, fall brings many fun opportunities to get involved, make memories, and connect with friends and family. Here are 10 ways to celebrate the season while attending EFSC:
1. Attend a Fall Festival Event
Every year, EFSC invites you to exciting events throughout October. Events vary yearly, so check out the Fall Festival webpage to see what’s upcoming!
From pumpkin carving to costume contests, live music to delicious treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Indulge in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season as you stroll through our lively Fall Festival events.
2. Check out a Book at the Library
Whether you’re looking for a cozy recipe (butternut squash soup, anyone?) or a good scare (where are my Stephen King fans at?), you can check out thousands of free books through the EFSC Library. Here are a few ideas to put you in the fall mood:
- Horror Novels – October is the perfect month for gothic and supernatural literature. Pick up a classic like “Dracula” or something more contemporary.
- Recipe Books – Make nostalgic autumnal favorites or create something new for your taste buds to savor!
- Photography Books – Browse breathtaking photos of fall landscapes and find inspiration to take some pictures of your own.
- Mysteries & Folklore – Brisk winds and shorter days recall shifting shadows and reflection on the unknown. Pick up a cozy mystery novel or folklore book to delve into the mood!
- Craft Books – From pumpkin carving to candle-making, fall is the perfect time to pick up new hobbies and let your creativity flow.
3. Wear a Costume or Cosplay to Campus
Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like the perfect costume! EFSC holds costume contests around the end of October, so check the Fall Fest webpage to find the best days to dress up. Ensure your costume is appropriate for a general audience and follows EFSC’s student code of conduct: “Dress worn by students must be of sufficient quality and quantity to properly cover and protect the body, including shirt and shoes.”
4. Get Involved in a Club
Joining a student club or organization related to your interests is a great way to enhance your educational experience at EFSC—and many of these clubs celebrate autumn holidays with special events and activities! By joining a club, you’ll have a hand in brainstorming, organizing, and managing these fall activities, too.
5. Volunteer with Service-Learning
Get volunteer hours on your transcript while also diving into the fall spirit! In October and November, many non-profits host trunk-or-treats, Thanksgiving dinners, and other festive events meant to give back to the community. Not only will you feel immersed in the season, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of making someone else’s life a little brighter this time of year. Contact the college’s Service-Learning to discover how you can make a difference while participating in fall activities.
6. Decorate Your Class Binders/Notebooks for the Fall Semester
Unleash your creativity and put yourself in the right headspace by decorating your classroom notebooks or binders for the fall semester! Break out your autumn-colored markers, print out pictures of your favorite “seasonal” objects, and open Pinterest to give yourself some inspiration. You’ll feel happier each time you bring your notebook to class!
7. Make a Fall Vision Board
What activities and goals do you hope to accomplish through college this fall? Creating a vision board can be an inspiring and artistic way to keep your goals top-of-mind. Here are a few ideas you can include:
- Goals – Consider your academic, personal, and professional goals. (Make sure they follow the SMART guidelines!)
- Recreation – Carving pumpkins, making Thanksgiving dinner, jumping in a pile of leaves, taking long walks during the autumn evenings, designing a costume from scratch, attending a special event… What fun will you have this season?
- Motivational Quotations & Words – What “theme” do you want your fall to have? Include your favorite sayings, ideas, and words!
- Family & Friends – Who do you want to spend your autumn with?
- Media – Add visual reminders of your “to-watch,” “to-read,” and “to-play” lists!
- You – What kind of person do you want to be this season? How do you want to grow? What would you like to learn or experience? Be sure to include a picture or representation of you!
8. Create an Autumn Study Playlist
Music can elevate a study or homework session, turning any project into a more immersive and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re carving a pumpkin or writing an essay, a customized playlist can add ambiance to the background and concentration to the mind. Here are a few ideas:
- Ambient Soundscapes – Search “fall ambiance” on YouTube for thousands of calming videos featuring autumn-themed landscapes with nostalgic sounds. These are a non-distracting choice to evoke a fall mood.
- Soundtracks – Is there a certain film or video game that reminds you of the fall? Play its soundtrack in the background, or search “fall-themed [type of media] music” to instantly curate a playlist of instrumental music for you to “fall” in love with.
- Songs – This one doesn’t work for everybody, especially if you find lyrics distracting while you work. However, nothing evokes a feel-good mood like songs with words that inspire you. Build a playlist of your most “autumn mood” music and let the memories repeat!
9. Try a Fall-Flavored Beverage, Entrée, or Dessert at your Campus’ Café
Nothing says “happy fall” like pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Check out your campus’ food services to browse any seasonal offerings, grab a latte, or enjoy a warm soup or muffin.
10. Donate to the Titan2Titan Clothing Closet
Giving back to other college students is a charitable, rewarding activity to add to your fall checklist. Clean out your closet of gently used professional clothes (both costume parties and fall formals use them!) or go shopping for fall-themed foods to help stock the pantry (tea, potatoes, spices, fruit, soups, and more!). Check out the Titan2Titan webpage for more information.
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