Hello, current and future Hawkeyes,

Well, it’s officially fall here in Iowa City which means those famous Iowa winds are making a come back and students have switched shorts for jeans and sweaters. I always get a little happy once the leaves start to turn because it means we are slowly approaching the holidays when everything seems a bit happier.

If you are like myself whose family is filled with big fall fans, this time of the year could make you feel homesick, and trust me I am! (no matter how old you get, you will always miss home) So I’ve compiled a list of things to combat home-sickness during this time of year <3

1. Decorate your room: My roommate and I just hung up fall leaves around our dorm and it has made the biggest change in our moods. While Iowa City’s trees are taking a while to turn colors, our room is scattered with orange and yellow leaves giving the impression Fall is here! Growing up my mom always switched our summer tablecloths with a pumpkin-themed tablecloth to symbolize the change of season. My dad would make sure he bought the pumpkin garbage bags to store leaves in and decorate our front yard with. Being away from college has made me miss these traditions but now in college, I get to pick how early I decorate for fall, which is the sliver-lining of feeling homesick during fall.
2. Treat yourself to a fall coffee: Getting a PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte), Chai Latte, or a Cold Brew with Pumpkin Cold Foam on the first day of fall (and at least once a week before Winter) has been a tradition of mine since I started drinking coffee in high school. Of course, I have carried on that tradition into my college years. My ideal day is if the weather allows it, grabbing a pumpkin coffee drink (usually a cold brew with pumpkin cold foam) from any of the great coffee shops in town and sitting on the Pentacrest to do some light work. Instantly cures my yearning for my grandma’s cafe de olla  (Mexican coffee) craving. While nothing will ever compare to my grandma’s coffee, this routine slightly cures my homesickness.
3. Take a break and watch the leaves start changing colors: This is probably my favorite activity to do during fall and what better city to explore the beauty of nature than Iowa City. There are some hidden gems scattered around the city that showcase the beauty of fall. For example, behind the English and Philosophy Building, which already has a great view of the river, beautifully showcases the fall colors. College Green Park, which is just 5 to 10 minutes away from the Pentacrest is a sight to see! Growing up in Chicago, my family and I would drive around to see the trees change colors, and slowly the Chicago streets would be littered with orange, red, and yellow leaves. It’s great to translate my home traditions to Iowa City, my new home.
4. Make your dorm smell like fall: Whether that is using a Febreeze Apple Cinnamon Spray or a Glade Pumpkin Spice plug-in, making your dorm smell cozy further improves the fall vibes and makes you ready to welcome in the season.

Doing these have helped me beat my homesickness during this season which reminds me so much of home!

Hope you stay warm Hawkeyes!