Column: How to embrace fall this semester
As the temperature finally drops and the air thankfully becomes more crisp than humid, it's the perfect time to get into the fall spirit.
Even as someone who yearns for fall all summer, it’s still surprisingly easy to let the season pass me by without going to a single cider mill or pumpkin patch. It would be tragic if I let you do the same.
From classic fall activities like pumpkin picking to cozy coffee shops in town, Mount Pleasant has a lot to offer students on and off campus during spooky season. So, make the most of fall semester before the trees are bare and your workload is unbearable.
Start with the basics
Obviously, get a pumpkin. With Papa’s Pumpkin Patch less than 10 minutes away from campus, you really have no excuse.
Papa's Pumpkin Patch owner Bill Miller Jr. collects the pumpkins that have gone bad at Papa's Pumpkin Patch in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on Wednesday, Sept.15, 2026. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
They have cider, donuts and other mouthwatering fall treats along with fresh fruits and vegetables. There’s also a hayride and plenty of photo opportunities that would be adorable for families and a good laugh for students. Save a weekend to stop by and wear a cute sweater.
Also, make time for football games and tailgating over the weekend. While football games are already a fall tradition, the university’s maroon and gold colors make them even more fall coded. So, show some school spirit and pull up!
Don’t forget the small things
Please eat or drink something pumpkin or cinnamon flavored. It’s mandatory.
The Ponder locations on and off campus are great places to go, but don’t forget the seasonal pastries available at grocery stores too. Trying random pumpkin snacks with friends that have the potential to be disgusting or delicious is worth the gamble.
Once the leaves start changing, it’s impossible to ignore the beautiful fall foliage on campus, but there are also some local trails in Island and Mill Pond park that are worth walking down to do the same.
Downtown Mount Pleasant has a couple cool spots worth checking out this fall too.
Sleepy Dog Books is a cute place to pick up a thrilling read or more importantly, enjoy the cozy vibes of a bookstore. The store also sells stationary, games and stickers.
For a vintage, scary movie night, visit Broadway Theater on Oct. 3 or Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. for its VHS nights. They’ll be showing “Halloween 3” and “Friday the 13th.”
For those opposed to leaving the house
The chillier it is, the more socially acceptable it is to stay inside, so take advantage of it!
Buy the Pillsbury ready to bake pumpkin or ghost sugar cookies. Throw on a scary, spooky or cozy fall movie. Put at least one cute, little decorative pumpkin in your living space. It would be criminal if I didn’t also mention watching "Gilmore Girls."
If the hustle and bustle of the semester has already gotten a hold of you, I promise it really doesn’t take much to still enjoy fall. Go beyond just admiring the leaves changing on campus and try out these fall festivities.
