Fall semester is an exciting time on campus.
When the leaves start to change and the air gets colder, you can feel the buzz of excitement among the student body.
Freshman are making new friends while trying to find their way around their new home, while returning students are settling back into familiar routines.
But along with all that excitement comes a hefty dose of stress. Between settling into your dorm, figuring out your class schedule, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, it can feel like you’re running on borrowed time, even though the year has just started.
That’s where our fall bucket list comes in. I’ve put together a mix of practical must-dos and fun activities to help you make the most of the Fall 2024 – 2025 school year. Whether you’re a first-year student finding your footing or a senior savoring your last fall semester, this list has something for everyone.
1. Set yourself up for success with the right home decor
Creating a comfortable living space makes all the difference, whether you’re in a dorm or off-campus apartment. Fall is the best time of year to do this—you’ll have more time on your hands before classes start, and you’ll be able to enjoy your space all year long.
Start by scouting out back-to-school sales for essentials like desk lamps, bed risers, and storage containers. Don’t forget to check out local thrift stores—they’re perfect for scoring gently used furniture, unique decor, and kitchen essentials like plates and utensils.
If you’re sharing space with roommates, work together when decorating. Coordinate on shared items like a mini-fridge or microwave to avoid doubling up. For your personal space, focus on making your bed a cozy retreat with soft sheets and a supportive pillow—you’ll thank yourself during late-night study sessions.
Organize your desk area with a good light, a comfortable chair, and enough storage for your books and supplies. A small bulletin board can help keep important dates and deadlines visible. Add a few personal touches like photos or a small plant to make the space feel like home.
Remember, your living space should be both functional and comfortable. A well-organized room can boost your productivity and provide a relaxing haven after a long day of classes.
And if you want to add a touch of fall spirit, a small pumpkin or an autumn-scented candle can do the trick without breaking the bank.
2. Expand your social network on campus
Making friends in college can be nerve-wracking, especially during your first year. It’s completely normal to feel anxious putting yourself out there, but remember: Everyone’s in the same boat, nervous but eager to connect and find their place on campus.
If you’re feeling bold, try leaving your dorm room door open when you’re hanging out inside. It’s an open invitation for hallmates to stop by and chat. You could even put up a friendly welcome sign or a whiteboard with an icebreaker question. For the more outgoing types, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to people in the cafeteria or before class starts—a simple “Hey, I’m [Your Name]. Mind if I sit here?” can be the start of a great conversation.
But if the thought of approaching strangers makes you break out in a cold sweat, don’t worry! There are plenty of structured ways to meet people. Keep an eye out for campus events—most schools host things like movie nights, game tournaments, or free workshops, all designed to help you mingle and meet others.
Joining clubs or organizations is another fantastic way to expand your social circle. Sports, art, politics, or spelunking—whatever you’re into, there’s likely a group for you. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different clubs in the first few weeks; it’s the perfect time to explore and find your niche on campus.
Be sure to check out these articles for more tips on making friends and breaking out of your comfort zone:
3. Indulge in autumn flavors (beyond pumpkin spice)
It’s impossible to write a fall bucket list without mentioning pumpkin spice—it’s popular for a reason!
Personally, I’m a big fan of PSLs, but autumn has so much more to offer your taste buds than just this trendy flavor.
Fall is a season of rich, comforting tastes: crisp apples, warm cinnamon, earthy sage, sweet maple, and aromatic nutmeg. These flavors can transform ordinary dishes into cozy autumn delights.
Why not challenge yourself to learn a new recipe this season? Baking an apple pie from scratch or whipping up a hearty butternut squash soup can be a fun way to spend a chilly afternoon. Plus, cooking skills are a valuable asset in college and beyond. Invite some friends over for a fall-themed potluck and share your culinary creations. (Another great way to make new friends!)
Don’t worry if you’re a complete novice in the kitchen. Everyone starts somewhere. You may even find that there are cooking classes on campus, or you can team up with friends to put together a meal and learn together. Try making it a game—each person can take charge of one aspect of the meal, or you can take turns hosting for each other.
4. Create a smart college budget
Fall is the perfect time to get your finances in order, especially if you’re just starting your college journey. Creating a college student budget might sound daunting, but it’s simpler than you think—and we’ve got the perfect tool to help you get started.
Our comprehensive College Student Budget Guide comes with an easy-to-use template that takes the guesswork out of budgeting. It walks you through categorizing your income and expenses, helping you allocate funds not just for essentials like textbooks and rent, but also for social activities and personal care. Because a good budget isn’t about restriction; it helps you spend smarter so you can enjoy college life without constant money anxiety.
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For day-to-day tracking, consider using a budgeting app like Monarch Money. It can sync with your bank accounts, categorize your spending automatically, and give you a real-time view of your financial health.
It may not be the most exciting thing on this fall bucket list, but your future self will thank you when you have that money set aside for a special trip or new laptop when you need it.
5. Embrace the great outdoors (before it’s too cold)
As the fall semester kicks into gear, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of classes, assignments, and campus activities. But don’t forget to take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather while it lasts. As the year progresses, many places become too cold for outdoor activities, not to mention your schedule will likely get busier with midterms and projects.
Use these early weeks of the school year to explore the natural beauty around your campus and beyond. You don’t need to feel guilty about being outside instead of studying, either—research shows that getting outside is good for your mental health and acuity.
Start by discovering the green spaces on your college grounds. Many campuses have beautiful gardens, walking trails, or even small forests that come alive with fall colors. These spots can become your go-to places for a quick study break or a moment of peace between classes.
Venture off campus to explore local parks, hiking trails, or nature reserves. Fall is famous for its stunning foliage, so consider taking a weekend trip to a nearby state park or scenic area to witness the changing leaves in all their glory.
Don’t limit yourself to just hiking or leaf-peeping. Fall is great for outdoor activities like cycling, rock climbing, or even kayaking if there’s a river or lake nearby. Many college outdoor recreation programs offer trips and equipment rentals, often at discounted rates for students.
If you aren’t the outdoorsy type, you can still enjoy the season by using those student discounts to visit cafes, museums, and other points of interest in your area.
6. Master one essential adult skill before winter break
College is the perfect time to bridge the gap between being taken care of and taking care of yourself. While you’re busy with classes and social life, dedicating some time this fall to learning one practical life skill can set you up for success long after graduation.
The key is choosing something achievable but genuinely useful. Maybe it’s learning to do your own basic car maintenance like checking oil or changing a tire. Perhaps it’s understanding how to read and negotiate your lease agreement, or figuring out how health insurance actually works (trust me, you’ll need this knowledge sooner than you think).
Kitchen skills are always valuable—learning to meal prep on Sundays can save you both time and money throughout the week. Or consider financial literacy beyond basic budgeting: understanding how credit scores work, learning to file your own taxes, or figuring out how to build an emergency fund on a student budget.
The beauty of tackling this during fall semester is that you have a clear deadline (winter break) and enough time to actually practice the skill rather than just watching a YouTube video once. Pick something that feels slightly intimidating but not overwhelming.
For a comprehensive guide to essential life skills every college student should master, check out our Adulting 101 article. It covers everything from laundry basics to managing your first apartment.
Your future self—whether that’s next semester or five years from now—will thank you for taking the time to learn something practical while you have the mental bandwidth and support system that college provides.
7. Make plans for your on-campus income
As you settle into the fall semester, it’s a good time to think about your financial situation. Many students find they need to supplement their income, and fall is the ideal time to explore your options.
First and foremost, if you’re considering getting a job, it’s crucial to learn how to balance work and school. Your studies should always come first, but a part-time job can provide valuable experience and, of course, extra spending cash.
On-campus jobs are often a great place to start. They’re usually more flexible with student schedules and can save you time and transportation costs. Check with your school’s career center or job board for opportunities in areas like the library, cafeteria, or administrative offices.
But don’t limit yourself to traditional jobs. Check out our list of side hustles for college students, which can guide you on earning extra income through jobs like tutoring, freelancing writing, and more.
Any work experience you gain now can be valuable for your future career (including side hustles, you entrepreneur!). For third and fourth-year students especially, finding meaningful work related to your field of study can give your resume a significant boost.
You also might want to consider using some of your earnings to start paying off college loans early. Even small payments can make a big difference in the long run.
Here are some additional resources to help you navigate the world of student work:
8. Lean in to the spooky season
The two best times in life to celebrate Halloween are when you’re in elementary school and when you’re in college. So take advantage of the season while you can! 🎃
There are likely Halloween parties and events happening around campus this time of year, but there’s no reason to wait until the end of the month to start enjoying the macabre season.
If you’re in a big college city, there are likely destinations nearby that you visit with friends on a weekend. Many of the thousands of students attending college near Boston will head to Salem this time of year, and students in New York who want a gothic experience can walk around the 17th Century Trinity Cemetery in Manhattan. But even if you’re in a smaller college town, you can plan your own weird or spooky outing by checking out Atlas Obscura, a site that lists weird or off-the-beaten places in pretty much every major city and town in America (and around the world).
Consider hosting a horror movie marathon in your dorm or apartment, complete with decorations and spooky snacks (there are several on this list from Delish that can easily be whipped up in a dormitory). Or just have a solo-spooky experience, and buy yourself a good horror novel to read in your free time (something by Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, or Edgar Allen Poe, perhaps?).
9. Pursue a personal goal or try something new
College is a period in our lives unlike any other. It’s when many of us experience true independence for the first time and where we start to think about who we are and who we want to be. While it can be easy to get consumed by school, work, and studying (all of which are important!), college can also be a great time to go after personal goals.
Sure, these bucket list items could be related to your major or future career—like getting an internship—but I’m mostly thinking about non-career goals, or even just trying something new. It doesn’t need to be monumental; the only requirement is that it should be something you want to do. Maybe it’s running a 10K, picking up a new hobby, or journaling every day.
Here’s why college is absolutely the right time to experiment with new things: As busy as you feel now, post-college life tends to bring more responsibility and an even fuller schedule. And while self-exploration isn’t impossible later in life, I highly recommend making it a priority now. Keeping an open mind, embracing a growth mindset, and going after your dreams are habits you can establish now that will benefit you for years to come.
10. Document your college experience with intention
In an age of endless social media posts and fleeting digital moments, there’s something powerful about being deliberate with how you capture and reflect on your college experience. Fall semester is the perfect time to start a more meaningful documentation practice that goes beyond random Instagram stories.
Start creating a private archive of your college journey. This could be a photo journal where you capture one meaningful moment each week, voice memos to your future self about what you’re learning or struggling with, or even a simple blog that no one else has to see. The goal is creating a record for yourself rather than content for others.
You might track your personal growth throughout the semester. Document the small wins: the day you finally understood that difficult concept in organic chemistry, the moment you felt confident speaking up in seminar, or when you successfully navigated a challenging social situation. For guidance on systematically tracking different aspects of your life and progress, check out our article on how to change your life through intentional tracking.
Don’t forget to document your academic achievements and experiences too. Keep a running list of projects you’re proud of, skills you’re developing, and feedback you receive from professors. This practice will be invaluable when you’re applying for internships or jobs later. Our guide on tracking your work accomplishments offers strategies that work just as well for academic achievements.
By winter break, you’ll have created something much more valuable than a camera roll full of blurry party photos—you’ll have a thoughtful record of who you were and who you’re becoming during this transformative time in your life.
11. Set yourself up for an academic slam dunk
Not to end on a nerdy note, but the last item on our fall bucket list is arguably the most important: setting yourself up for academic success. After all, that’s why you’re on campus in the first place, right?
Start by mapping out your coursework for the semester. Understanding your workload and major deadlines early on can help you avoid last-minute cramming sessions. Check out our list of the best apps for college students to keep yourself organized and on track.
Fall is also the time to start forming study groups with classmates. Not only does this make studying more enjoyable, but explaining concepts to others can reinforce your own understanding. Plus, you might make some new friends in the process!
Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with campus resources. There are on-campus tutors, writing centers, math labs, and of course the library, all there for your use. Most of your professors’ hold office hours, so listen up for when those are and use that time to your advantage. Take these steps now, and you can rest easy knowing your school year will be full of success.
We hope this fall bucket list inspires you to make the most of the season on campus. What’s on your personal fall bucket list? Let us know in the comments—we update this list every year, so check back for more ideas. Here’s to a fantastic fall semester!
