By Anna Di Domenico, Staff Writer
Fall is finally here. It’s the season that comes with cool breezes, fluffy sweaters, and pumpkin spice lovers. While we all might think of those off-campus festivals and autumn activities to mark the changing of seasons, you can stay inside the Saint Leo University campus and still get into the spirit of fall!
Decorations are one of the best ways to keep this spooky and cozy essence around or do a fun activity to gather your friends and roommates all together.
Creating a lovely atmosphere is almost always about appealing to the senses. As it is a safety rule that dorms shouldn’t have open flames, you can switch traditional candles for essential oil diffusers or wax warmers with scents like spiced apple, cinnamon, or the most famous one, pumpkin. For instance, visually you can bring the chill look to your dorm room by layering your bed with burnt orange soft flannel throw blankets, sprinkling some little pumpkins, real or fake ones, around your desk, and hanging some fairy lights to replace the harsh fluorescent fixtures with a warmer and more welcoming light.
Having a personal seasonal tradition is no less important than how we decorate. Ashley McGaster, a junior criminal justice major, keeps a balance by combining short time outdoors with relaxing indoor rituals.
“I normally like to go for a walk and look at all the trees changing colors,” McGaster said. After looking around the shifting foliage across the university grounds, she brings the seasonal vibe back to her dorm. “I’ll make some coffee and watch ‘Good Witch,’” she said.
Another way to enhance a cozy atmosphere is getting some great autumn treats. Whether you’re brewing coffee or warming up some apple cider, a touch of seasonal treats is a necessity. McGaster recommends that students take part in baking nostalgic delights such as a pumpkin or sweet potato pie, which they could be shared or even a gift. For some, just the act of baking brings back the whole feeling of being a kid, when you would see your family in the kitchen at home.
If, you want to explore, there are also so many different ways to enjoy fall without needing a car or a trip off campus. The events here never end, like painting little pumpkins if you don’t like the mess of carving a big one. Stay in touch with your resident hall assistant, they always announce some different events they have planned.
After having your treats baked and your drink in hand, with the room all cozy and decorated, watch a fall movie or TV show! In addition to a witchy and charming TV show, “Good Witch,” McGaster is a fan of “Pumpkin Pie Wars,” a Hallmark film which is a rival’s romance that fits perfectly for the season. If you don’t enjoy scary stuff but love the feeling of Halloween, dive into films such as “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to add to the spooky feeling. If that’s not your case and you like being frightened, go with classics like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” or “The Exorcist.”
Whether enjoying a relaxing walk across campus to look at the fall colors on the trees, getting into bed wearing your comfy clothes, or having a slice of warm pie, it’s totally up to your creativity.
Well, better start getting comfortable with the fact that even though we are in Florida, sooner or later you won’t be able to go out on campus without a jacket. So, press start on your seasonal watchlist, pull up the blankets, make some pumpkin lattes, and let this fall on campus be the coziest one yet!
