Ah, the excitement of fall! As a fall enthusiast, I can’t tell you how happy I am to watch Boston transition into the new season. The leaves are changing color, people are picking outfits that balance both comfort and style, and everyone’s in high spirits.
This time of year is often associated with doing fun things with the people in your life. It’s the season for apple picking, making s’mores and “Friendsgiving.” But as a college student, it might be a little harder to find the time to enjoy all that fall has to offer you.
As the weather changes, it’s understandable to prioritize events like Halloween, Thanksgiving and weekend plans with friends. However, as the semester progresses, things tend to feel more intense, and the workload can get heavier. People start preparing for midterms, and it’s easy to neglect the social parts of our lives.
Fall is a really hard time to balance being a student and making memories with friends. It’s easy to get behind on either of these, and both have consequences. For both new and current students, the time management aspect of college is by far one of the hardest to get a handle on.
You don’t want to feel like you’re missing out on good times with your friends, but you also want to make sure you’re bringing your best work to your classes.
It’s not only okay to have fun, but it’s healthy. If you have a really tough week of labs and exams, it is important to have something to look forward to when the weekend comes. Having a good time really boosts your morale and gets you through the week.
Breaks are also essential for surviving college. Burning yourself out as the winter months approach makes it really hard to stay motivated when it counts, like during finals. But what can you do in Boston to stay entertained and recharge your battery? Thankfully, there are so many options!
My favorite is farmers markets. You can find so many scattered around the Boston area filled with fresh food, local artists and vendors. It’s important to support the city you’re living in and its local businesses. The surrounding communities around them are typically vibrant, and they happen fairly often — I use the National Farmers Market Directory, which lets me track farmers markets in different towns. If you want to explore a farmers market, use this source to find and enjoy one.
If you’re into spooky things, Massachusetts is the place. Some people, including myself, can’t make the trip to Salem, but there are super fun things to do right here in Boston. One thing I have enjoyed was the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour. It’s a fun ride that takes you around the “haunted streets and burial grounds of Boston.” I had a friend who enjoys spooky things come with me, and she really loved it. If you aren’t interested in taking a tour, there are various haunted houses and other spooky activities that you can take advantage of in October.
For the non-horror crowd, it’s the season for fairs, observing the beautiful foliage and eating comfort food. There are so many amazing things to do in Boston, and if this is your first fall here, I really hope you enjoy it! It is a beautiful place, especially as the colors change and everyone settles into the fall mood.
Boston is a great place for sightseeing and taking breaks from your studies, but it’s important to remember that finding a balance is key. It is possible to have fun and stay on top of your schoolwork, so make sure you keep your priorities straight.
Not only will you get more enjoyment from it, but finding a balance that works for you will boost your confidence in knowing what you’re capable of.
Massachusetts becomes truly magical in the fall, but the most wonderful thing is being able to enjoy it guilt-free. Make sure you do your schoolwork and enjoy your classes, while taking the time to have fun too. I really hope you all enjoy the weather changes and stay strong throughout the semester!
