Thursday, September 22 marked the first day of fall. This news makes me want to put my sweaters on and jump into a pile of leaves! Stuffed in an un-air-conditioned dorm room, the onset of fall brings me great joy as I can now, instead of whining about being too hot, start whining about being too cold.

Fall is obviously super popular, and here are the reasons why it is so for me.
What follows are some of my favorite things about fall (and a few of my not so favorite things).

Pro: My Wardrobe is Finally Applicable.

I have a story. Over the summer, I bought a wonderful, beautiful, fabulously discounted forest green sweater with lace trim on the hem. I have counted the days until I can appropriately wear this sweater without erupting into flames in the sunny and humid afternoons. My wardrobe, I increasingly realize, it absolutely perfect for fall, and absolutely inconvenient for summer. I’ve got, like, 10-12 sweaters. I’ve got more jeans and leggings than I can fit in my drawers. And, I’ve got a plentiful amount of fun socks and booties to wear. (Just some of my favored socks include patterns of sheep, and of “tacosauruses” – yes, that’s dinosaurs + tacos.) I am so pumped for this fall when I can, finally comfortably, resort to my daily flannels, beanies, and abundance of burgundy. Plus, when it gets really cold, I get to cozy up in my big winter coat!

Pro: I Remember What “Cold” Feels Like.

Like I said, it’s hot in my room. And I really, really, really hate sweating. It’s gross and it makes me grouchy. I live for those early mornings with frost trimming the grass and when you can see your breath. I also love actually the need to curl up in a bunch of blankets overnight.

Pro: The Leaves!

Oh my gosh. I will always be, at heart, a five-year-old. I love crunching through the fallen leaves. Today, actually, I diverted my path so I could aim for the cluttering of red leaves on the ground. Speaking of which, I also really love to collect the reddest leaves, display them in my room, and show them to my mom. It reminds me of being back in Massachusetts.

Pro: Really Good Apples.

I love apples, and I love apple cider, and I love apple cider donuts. Farmer’s Markets in the fall are my heaven. Once it’s fall and really delicious apples are available, I sneak at least five at a time into my coat pockets when I leave the dining hall.

Pro: Halloween (Candy!)

Ah yes. The time of the year is near when I can buy entire bags of my favorite candy under the premise of feeding them to the trick-or-treaters. Honestly, if those kids want to deserve this candy, they should wait until they’re stressed out college students. I think we all know that a whole bag of candy corn or tootsie rolls will be inhaled by me sooner than the time it takes me to finish an essay.

Also, Halloween is a fantastic opportunity to reel in particularly attractive people with your standard norm of a Halloween costume: something with as minimal clothing as possible. This year, I’m thinking “Sexy Hermione.” (100% joking, please forgive my twisted sense of humor.)

Pro: Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving! Aka – the first time of the semester that I get to go home! This is also a great time to watch your favorite stars lip-sync their hits during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, watch a giant Snoopy float through the sky (I love Snoopy), and count the number of Christmas commercials you see! (And, by extension, count the number of days until Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year!)

I really love fall, in case it’s not blatantly obvious, and therefore I have far fewer cons than pros.

Con: Pumpkin Spice Latte…

I do not to intend any PSL fans – I’m totally up for some pumpkin-infused into my palate this fall. It is delicious. However, in my humble opinion, the syrupy goo that is the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte leaves much to be desired. Also, the spinoffs go on forever and result in Pumpkin Spice nightmares. There is pumpkin spice gum, for crying out loud. Please, let’s stick to some authenticity this fall.

Con: It gets chilly…

Yes, I know this was a pro. Yet, I am also excellent at complaining, no matter what the situation (just one of my many talents). The cold is a wonderful escape from the heat, and sometimes, (except for when I change my mind every season) I actually would prefer to be cold than to be hot. However, waking up and having to leave warm blankets behind, in exchange for freezing tile floors and toilet seats, is not my idea of a pleasant morning.

Despite the few minor disadvantages, I’m thrilled to welcome fall! If anyone needs me, I’ll be munching on an apple, in a pile of leaves, wearing my green sweater.