With midterms rapidly approaching and the newness of the fall semester wearing off, now is a great time to carve out some time for a few fun activities with your friends. Not only do the decreasing temperatures and humidity levels make for the perfect time to get outdoors, but spending some quality time in nature will also help you relax and de-stress no matter what is going on in the rest of your life. Here are some ideas for your own fall adventures, whether you’re a high schooler or college student looking for something fun to do this weekend.
1. Go apple picking
As cliché and generic as it sounds, apple picking really is therapeutic. From the drive to the apple farm, surrounded by country roads and fall foliage, to the feeling of accomplishment when you’ve filled your bag with delicious apples, to the first bite of your harvest, this is a fun Saturday morning activity that’s great to do with your family or a group of friends.
2. Take a hike
This is one of the best times of the year to go hiking. It’s not too hot or too cold, the scenery is gorgeous, and you don’t have to worry about spring allergies. Even if you don’t consider yourself an athletic person, there are lots of easy hikes designed specifically for their breathtaking scenery.
Related: Great Colleges If You Want to Live in the Mountains
3. Have a bonfire
To celebrate the weather finally cooling off and the crisp fall air, get some friends together and gather around a bonfire for some s’mores and fellowship—ghost stories optional.
4. Visit a corn maze and pumpkin patch
These two are often found together. There’s nothing quite like picking out your own pumpkin and going home to carve it up. And you can go back to your farming roots with a fun corn maze adventure. You can even see if there’s a hayride in the area to top things off. For extra spookiness, try doing the corn maze at night.
5. Go to a football game
It’s finally football season, and what better way to show your spirit than to show up in the stands and support your school’s team? Many colleges offer free or discounted tickets to students, and tailgating is a campus tradition you should experience at least once if you can.
6. Get crafty
DIY creations abound for fall. Whether you’re making a wreath for your dorm room door or creating a cool centerpiece for the kitchen table, crafting is always relaxing as you let the creative juices flow. For some cheap ideas, think about what you can do with pinecones, leaves, or acorns in your backyard and get going!
Related: 13 Ideas for a Fun Night in Without Leaving Your Dorm
7. Host a scary movie night
It’s officially the season of spooky—and the season of blankets. That means that it’s the perfect time to watch a scary movie or two with some pals underneath a few fuzzy blankets while you enjoy apple cider and pumpkin bread.
8. Go antiquing
I’m not really sure why, but fall is always when my creative and restorative personality comes to life. There’s just something about walking into an antique store and finding treasures of yesteryear to transform into your own. No antique shops near you? Try thrifting at Goodwill or your local consignment store.
9. Have an outdoor picnic
Before it gets too chilly, have a picnic date! A thermos of hot chocolate always helps if it’s a bit nippy. Plus, there will be fewer bugs around than in the heart of summer.
Related: The Best On-Campus Dates
No matter what you decide to do this fall, make sure you’re taking time to enjoy the changing seasons and all the beauty that comes with it. As Friedrich Nietszche puts it, “Autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature."
Another thing students should be doing this fall: applying for scholarships! Find awards with upcoming deadlines using our Scholarship Search tool.
