It's not quite fall yet, but I can't wait for the changing of the seasons. I used to hate fall because it was cold, windy, and rainy all the time. But as I've grown older, I have truly begun to appreciate the beautiful season of autumn. I decided to make a list of how I came to appreciate this season, and why they are now my favorite things about fall.
1. Fall festivals
There's nothing more fun than going to a farm and picking out pumpkins, buying hot apple cider, and posing with scarecrows. My friends and I have bonded so much through going to these kinds of places.
2. Sweater weather, finally
Most of my wardrobe is made up of sweaters, tights, and cold-weather clothes, as winter lasts about six months in Chicago. Three weeks of that winter is a little tiny snippet of fall and that's my favorite time to wear sweaters. You're warm, but not cold. You don't have to wear three layers under your sweater in October, and you can forgo the heavy winter boots for your cute brown ankle ones. (PS: I found this sweater at Goodwill for two dollars)
3. Hot drinks are now bearable
For three sweaty months, iced coffee and water are about all I can drink. Once fall comes around, I can break out my huge box of hot chocolate mixes. I can also use all of my cute mugs!
4. Halloween
It's fun to dress up, especially when you get a $3 burrito out of it.
5. You're finally settled into school.
By now, you've got your schedule memorized, your classrooms mapped, and a solid group of friends, hopefully.
6. Fall break
I never had fall breaks until I got to college. By the time I get to fall break, I'm exhausted and all I want is Christmas. Fall break is a great reprieve from school and by the time it's over, I am freshly motivated and ready to tackle the second half of the semester!
7. Thanksgiving
I have always loved everything about Thanksgiving: the food, the spirit of joy surrounding it, the Macy's Parade, and time with family. In addition, my birthday always comes on or around that day and I get to spend time with my family because there's no school on Thanksgiving!
8. Jack-O-Lanterns
I like to carve scary things into mine, like 'student loans', 'job searching', and 'ring by spring'. Pumpkin carving is always a blast, despite the goopy insides and the arduous task of slicing shapes without slicing yourself. I always save the seeds and my mom roasts them for me.
9. College sports
I enjoy going to football games and cheering on the Trinity Trojans, as well as hanging out in the bleachers with my friends! Games at Trinity are just as much of a social event as they are a sporting event, and I think that probably holds true at other colleges.
10. Colorful leaves
One of my absolute favorite things about this season is the changing of the leaves. The breathtaking colors and gray skies make a wonderful contrast. Bright fall leaves are also a great photo opportunity and my friends and I have taken many squad photos in the forest on our campus!
11. Daylight savings time
Who doesn't love an extra hour of sleep?
12. Pumpkin Spice Frappes
How could I make a list about fall without including pumpkin spice? I keep my pumpkin obsession mainly to brownies, lattes, and cookies, though. More pumpkin spice Oreos for you guys, I guess.
If you have more things you love about fall, feel free to write them in the comments!
