Sept. 23 marked the Fall Equinox, and autumn has officially begun. Already some of the leaves are falling, and the greens of summer are slowly fading into new orange hues. A chill has swept over campus, and with it brings a whole new environment.

Sweaters and flannels are making their debut, along with the buzz of iconic holidays approaching: Halloween, Thanksgiving and December holidays. 

Although the reality of the school year is hitting, and the summer camp feeling of the first few weeks is beginning to wear off, there are plenty of positives to this time of year to make up for it. Apple picking, football games, corn mazes and arguably the most quintessential of all: pumpkin-flavored everything. 

What does fall remind you of? For me, it is a dramatic personality change. My taste in food, as well as music, clothing and movies switch. Fall reminds me of listening to The Neighbourhood and Arctic Monkeys, and picking up Halloween movies like “Coraline” and “Practical Magic.”

Fall reminds freshman Sarah Martin Sachtleben of a time of year full of “cool weather and a breeze.” She also enjoys being with friends and the smell of pumpkin spice. 

For anyone who has experienced the seasons, they understand those aspects as some of the most notable and telling marks of fall. 

However, some students are experiencing seasons for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing a fall in the East,” freshman Peyton Meinhardt said.

As a Californian whose favorite season is fall, she is excited to experience a “true” fall. Her favorite part is watching the leaves change. 

If this is the case for you, my advice as a native Pennsylvanian is to embrace it as Meinhardt has. The weather may be a bit back and forth, which can be both a blessing and a curse, but you will miss it when it’s gone. 

Meinhardt’s experience of being reminded that this is her first fall away from home resonates with many Villanovans. Whether you live close, across the country or even internationally, remember that you are not alone in the struggle.

Melanie Koch is another freshman living far from home this fall. She is excited, as we all are, for the “fall air and landscape” and finds it “enjoyable to do cozy things” like “wearing a lot more sweaters.” 

Nevertheless, Koch still has some common concerns, like how the coming months can get very cold and can feel very long. She is nervous about how her motivation and excitement may or may not last through the end of the year. 

This is a common concern, and there is so much to look forward to at this time of year and many people will be going through the same thing. As far as academic burnout, fall break is a few days away, and soon after it will be Thanksgiving and Winter Break, as well. These breaks will be good times to reset and recharge. 

With the changing foliage as the backdrop of the University, many students are experiencing an increase in the rigor of their work schedules and homework, causing this challenge to find motivation. Classes are beginning to pick up, and many have midterm exams or essays occurring within this period.

If the coming of fall is scary because of academics and the feeling of inevitable descent into seasonal depression is on the horizon, remember there are so many resources and ways to keep both mental and physical health in check. Try out something new, like Thrive 365, the Student Health Center or Counseling Center.

In their free time, students should try exploring some of the activities that make fall at Villanova unique, such as a picnic by the church in the beautiful weather, taking a walk in Stoneleigh Gardens while the temperature still cooperates or attending fall sports events. Happy fall, Villanova. Remember to take advantage of this wonderful time of the year.