By Sarah Gilley, Copy Editor
As soon as the clock strikes midnight on September 1, summer passes by, and fall is in season. Out with the beach towels and sunscreen and in with the crisp air and changing of the leaves. Pumpkin spice lattes, hot, of course, and dark academia novels are here for the takeover.
The first official day of fall is September 22 this year, but that does not stop students at Saint Leo University from celebrating early. Goodbye sandals and tank tops, and hello flannels and ripped jeans.
The fall season can illicit and entice the five senses: touch, smell, taste, feel, and sight.
“When I smell a pumpkin spice and vanilla candle burning, I get to decorate my dorm, as well as getting to taste the basic Thanksgiving dishes, I know fall is here,” said Adrianna Astudillo, a sophomore studying English.
Pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage this fall. (Photo was taken from Instagram @thewordytraveler) 
Saint Leo students enjoy pumpkin spice lattes in Kirk Hall. (Photo was taken by Sarah Gilley)
On the other hand, Cole Washko, a junior studying English, takes on a more classical approach to fall and how his sense is enticed in the fall time.
“It’s fall time when the leaves are blowing in the wind and there is football on the TV,” said Washko. “When little kids are dressed up in colorful costumes, while their feet are crunching leaves, and I cannot forget getting to eat loads of pumpkin pie.”
Saint Leo students are able to get in on the fall festivities on campus by attending this year’s Homecoming Weekend activities, such as getting to taste delicious food at the food trucks and feeling the breeze while enjoying the Family Fest as well as getting to talk with alumni.
If some students are more interested in sporting events, there are always many tournaments and matches coming up, such as the 2022 baseball turkey tournament and the Saint Leo Women’s Golf vs Golfweek Fall invitational.
“When sports games are going on and the crowd is all excited to support our school, it feels like the beginning of a good fall semester,” said Astudillo.
Fall is a special time in everyone’s lives: when seasons change, so do the people around us. Students’ styles are changing and their regular coffee orders are tweaked, but, most importantly, it is the beginning of a new semester where new friends are made and new knowledge is acquired.
