How-To: Take Advantage of the Best Season at BC

Fall is like the text message that says, “We need to talk” before a break up. You know winter is coming, and you know it’s going to be bad. People think of it as a downward slope toward the dreaded winter ahead, but the truth is that taking advantage of this in-between season before we all permanently attach our North Face parkas to our skin and sew Ugg boots to our jeans is a great excuse to see something besides the four walls of O’Neill Library. Being in New England during this time should not be taken for granted, and I promise you won’t regret pausing your midterm study marathon for any of these options.

1. Pumpkin-flavored everything. If you haven’t noticed, places from Starbucks to Chill begin to make their limited addition pumpkin-flavored items this time of year. The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks, the pumpkin-flavored ice cream at Chill, and the pumpkin muffin at Dunkin’ Donuts are all perfect ways to put on a little winter weight to keep you warm in a few months. If you feel like running across town, Mike’s Pastry has the best pumpkin pastries, and Georgetown Cupcake makes a pumpkin spice flavor every Thursday, according to my print-out of the daily menu hanging on my refrigerator. If your pumpkin craving is anything like mine, you know the worst day of the year is when the workers have to explain why they can’t just keep the limited edition flavor all year round.

2. Leaves. Yes, I know I’m not writing for an audience of five-year-olds, and I’m not telling you to rake up a pile in the Quad and jump in it (unless you want to, in which case I’d gladly join), but I am telling you to appreciate them. People from all around the world come to New England to see the stunning colors that we see walking down Linden Lane every day. It might be hard to appreciate something that you step on on your way to class, but taking a foliage walk with a friend is a great stress-reliever and an even better procrastination method. If for some strange reason you have an entire afternoon free, Boston offers some amazing tours of the surrounding area, by bus, boat, and even ski lift.

3. Apple Picking. Are you sick of getting your apples from the bin at the dining hall that everyone has undoubtedly run their hands through in an attempt to find their perfect apple? Yeah, me too. Get out of the city for a while and go apple picking. If you are lucky enough to have a kitchen, this is the best way to learn some new recipes. From standard homemade applesauce and cider, to the not so standard apple salsa and stew, I promise you will use apples like you never have before. Not to mention, the bonding experience of watching your uncoordinated friends struggle to get the apples off the trees without tumbling to the ground will leave you with some good memories and even better pictures.

4. Do something scary. I don’t care what it is. Go see Paranormal Activity 4, which might end up being more comical than scary. Take a trip up to Salem to see where the witch trials took place. Hop on a tour of the historical graveyards in Boston, some of which are complete with a trained storyteller and decorated bus. Take a quick trip out to the suburbs that put on one of those ridiculously overpriced haunted houses. I can’t think of a better way to spend money than to pay for an excuse to hold on to that boy you’ve had your eye on. Then again, staying on campus can be just as terrifying. Simply clean out your closet before room checks - you never know what you and your roommate threw in there last Saturday night.

5. Decorate. It doesn’t matter if you live on Newton or in a Mod - everyone’s living situation can use a little sprucing up to say the least. A better environment means a better mood, and the fall season provides us with many excuses to adorn our rooms with pumpkin-scented air fresheners and strings of orange lights. The myriad of craft festivals held around the city in the upcoming weeks is the best way to get ideas for your dull dorm room. Farmers markets are also the place to get miniature pumpkins and gourds to put on your desk or windowsill. A little effort goes a long way here, people.

Bottom line is, don’t give up because you know winter is on its way. Sitting inside in anticipation of the brutal winter ahead, or simply in anticipation of your next impossible midterm, is not the way to spend this season.