COVID-19 Doesn't Have to Stop You from Enjoying Fall! A Day in the Life: Coronavirus Edition.

October 16, 2020, 3:32 pm

Nothing about 2020 has been what anyone expected, and this fall will be no exception. As we did in spring and summer, we’ll have to come up with new things to do in fall. While you’ll probably still get to savor pumpkin spice latte season and snuggle in your coziest sweater, some typical things to do in the fall—like cheering with the crowd at football games or hosting Halloween parties—may be off-limits during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep everyone safe.

But just because we’re staying closer to home (and holding our loved ones closer)

doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the very best things that fall has to offer. Whether you are social distancing, staying at home, or trying to keep activities outdoors, so we can keep celebrating the season—even if it’s an autumn like we’ve never seen before.

Especially for college students, it is so important to get out of your house, apartment, or dorm for a little bit and not focus on school work. Homework, projects, and assignments: it is that point in the semester where college students feel constantly drowned in school work. It is tough when you have 3 assignments, a paper, and a four chapter exam all in one week, PLUS having an all online format. While it is important to stay on top of all the assignments and exams that you have, it is also important to enjoy activities that can put your mind at rest, and take a break from all the stresses during the school week.

As a busy college student, I always find it so important to make sure my mental health is in check. Balancing an all online format for school, family, extra curricular activities, COVID, and so much more, it's easy to get overwhelmed and stressed. I find it so nice to be able to go out and enjoy the world around me, and not worry much about everything else in my life, even if it is just for a little bit. I've also found that getting outside of the same four walls helps my productivity soar, while also giving me motivation, and raising energy levels.

I head to YouTube to talk about the importance of getting out of the same four walls.

Before heading out, I was able to get some quick assignments turned in before leaving the house. Since all classes are online, it is especially important for me to have a planner to keep everything jotted down and keep myself organized.

My virtual school set up while at home.

Today, I chose to go to do one of my favorite autumn activities – going to a pumpkin patch. This is just one of the way's that I am able to get out of the house and focus on something other than school. Soergel Orchard in Wexford has opened up their pumpkin patch and apple orchard for picking this year.

Map of Soergel Orchard

While it may look a little different, people are still able to enjoy their favorite autumn traditions. They are still offering their fresh produce and apples, candy apples, cider donuts, fresh-baked pies, and pumpkin treats galore, even with all the changes that are happening.

People are still required to wear masks, even in the pumpkin patch and the apple orchard. Even though their annual fall festival had to be cancelled, but they refused to cancel fall.

The new safety measures that were required of guests at Soergel Orchards.

The Soergel's Pumpkin Patch was open and ready for guests to take home.

The Soergel's Orchard was full of pick your own Fuji apples. Featuring my boyfriend, Chris Kochis (featured in the last photo)

On my way home, I was able to stop at Starbucks to order one of my favorite fall drinks.

My favorite fall drink from Starbucks: a venti iced chai latte with

light ice, 6 pumps of vanilla, and pumpkin cream cold foam on top.

This was the end to a nice October day, and giving myself a break from the stresses of everything going on, a mental health day.

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I encourage everyone to go out and try to enjoy this beautiful time of year. Going out to a pumpkin patch and apple orchard is just one autumn tradition. Looking for more things to do? Now is the time to try new things, since so many things have been cancelled due to the coronavirus. Make the best of it! Check out my list below of 15 things that you can do this fall to be able to get away from the school work for a little while, and while staying safe during COVID-19.

1. Take a hike

2. Drink apple cider

3. Take a drive to see the fall foliage

4. Carve or decorate pumpkins

5. Enjoy pumpkin spice everything

6. Write down what you're thankful for

7. Bake an apple or pumpkin pie

8. Pick out a new cozy sweater

9. Make caramel apples

10. Learn to knit.

11. Snuggle under a warm blanket with a cup of coffee or tea and a good book

12. Rake together a pile of leaves - and then jump in it!

13. Make snickerdoodles

14. Get a head start on your holiday shopping, and support local businesses

15. Have a Halloween movie marathon with movies like Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, Hocus Pocus, The Goonies, Ghostbusters, or The Addams Family

With so much uncertainty in the world, it is easy to become frustrated, scared, and downright angry. But we can’t just focus on the bad. We should use this moment to reflect on the good in life. And we must be as productive as we can. Now is the time to indulge in your hobbies or begin a new one. So make the most of your fall, try to enjoy the little things that life has to offer, and make mental health a priority.