4 Ways To Own Fall Semester, Even If You’re Not A Student

As a student, fall is defined by returning to classes, slowly turning leaves, that indefinable “crisp” feeling in the air, and unbridled anticipation for the upcoming holiday season. It’s a whole vibe. As you make the shift into full-fledged adulthood, a shift happens: Now you have responsibilities like paying rent, showing up to a job, and making sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet. Plus, you’re not seeing your school besties every day. Being a grownup can be kind of a bummer sometimes. It’s normal to wish for simpler days, but you can still take advantage of fall “semester” and own the season in a way that gives you the same excitement as that special crackly sound the leaves make when the first fall winds blow through the trees.

Take Advantage Of Seasonal Sales

You don’t have to be a student to love a good deal. Fall seasonal sales extend far beyond the usual back-to-school deals on notebooks and calculators. As the holiday season approaches, retailers regularly drop prices on laptops, TVs, clothing, and home goods. Keep tabs with a price-watching app, or grab a friend and head out for a day of bargain hunting on the things you need or want. Though a new cardigan marked half off is absolutely both.

Try Something New

If your weeks are no longer jam-packed with studying and catching up on schoolwork or traveling across the state to participate in a school sport or event, you may find you have more free time. Fall is a great time to reset after a low-key (or maybe really busy) summer and reflect on what you want the next few months to look like for you. Is there a new hobby you want to try? A personal goal you want to achieve? As you unearth sweaters from storage bins and enjoy your first spiced latte of the season, take some time to figure out what keeps you healthy and happy as the holidays and winter approach.

Update Your Space

Fall is the perfect time to update your decor and make room for those holiday decorations you’ve been itching to put up since April (right there with you). Purge a closet or two. Paint some walls in that moody color you’ve been contemplating since last year. Add some gourds, faux leaves, cozy throws, and cinnamon-scented candles to your decor to make your space feel homey and inviting for fall.

Find Your People

Schools offer so many clubs, sports, and opportunities to volunteer that when you suddenly no longer have those groups or activities in your life, it can feel a little lonely — not to mention boring. Many towns or gyms have rec leagues suited for all levels of athletes so you can still be active and feel the camaraderie of being part of a team. If sports aren’t your thing, look for local activist groups, gaming clubs, or organizations that could use a hand. Check out park and recreation sites, your library’s calendar of events, or your workplace affinity groups to see where you can meet people who share your hobbies and passions.

Plan A Road Trip To Visit Friends

Whether you’re taking a gap year, heading directly into the workforce, or have graduated from college and are fully immersed in adulthood, you likely aren’t seeing your school friends as much as you used to. Stay in touch by planning some road trips and meetups. Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is on schedule with oil changes and routine maintenance, and be sure to check your fluids (power steering, transmission, and windshield washer), as well as your tire pressure.

The transition from student to full-fledged adult is a major life milestone — it can be both amazing and a little overwhelming. For so long, your identity has been tied to being a student. And while there are wonderful aspects of that part of you, it’s also a really exciting time to define what’s next for your life. Whether you’re on a new life trajectory or learning new and exciting ways to love the life you already live, you can absolutely own back-to-school season — with or without the school part.