And so, fall begins. The scorching summer temperatures have subsided, jeans and sweatshirts have become the daily fashion and Nolan’s is serving pumpkin spice coffee — it’s no Starbucks, but still.
The seasons changing offers a perfect excuse to kick back and relax on a cool night. Amid midterm season and the endless stress of college life, we all deserve a break or two. So here are some ways to spend your free time effectively as the weather turns cold, or just to have a cozy night in your dorm.
Movie night binge
This one is a classic. Pick a movie or series of your choice, invite some friends over, bring some snacks and enjoy. Even our fun-sized dorms can squeeze a good number of people together on a bed to enjoy some Harry Potter or Mean Girls. Having already fallen asleep on someone’s shoulder while watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I can vouch for the dorm room movie night experience.
Board or card game night
On a similar note, another great cozy social activity is a game night. For faster-paced fun, Uno and poker are great choices. Or, if you want something a little more extensive, you could pick Catan or Ticket to Ride. Regardless, it’s less what you play and more who you play with (and how competitive they are) that really matters.
Redesign your room
What better time than now to improve your room? There’s a plethora of things you can do to spice up your living space, whether it's adding new posters, cleaning up the messy desk or adding LED lights. DIY accessories, like self-made watercolor paintings, are a good way to pass the time, too.
Bake cookies
Even those who are not culinary-inclined should try some dorm-room cooking at some point. Figuring out your dorm kitchen with a friend is always fun, and hopefully, the results turn out good. If not, you’ll at least be armed with a fun story of almost burning down the kitchen.
Read a good book
Reading for fun in college is a novel idea (no pun intended), but if you find time it can be a great way to relax. Some particularly fall-y titles include Weyward, which offers a gothic, history-spanning adventure, and How to Sell a Haunted House, which is spooky with a good amount of camp. Plus, you can’t go wrong with classics like Pride and Prejudice or Wuthering Heights.
Origami
Origami is actually a pretty useful skill — it's a neat party trick, you can make great paper airplanes and more. And by using old class papers that you won’t need, you’re being environmentally conscious. Some good beginner creations are origami boats or a fortune teller.
Study for Organic Chemistry
Just kidding. My roommate is doing enough of that for the two of us.
