It’s officially the beginning of fall, but the shift from summer has felt drawn-out and never-ending. One minute you’re sweating before you even get to class, and the next you feel like you’re in an arctic storm. In this abnormal weather, it can be hard to channel the autumnal spirit. It also doesn’t help that the first weeks of class are a whirlwind of events, with activities like club recruitment, job hunting and syllabi week leaving little room for downtime.

Fall is my personal favorite season, but I’ve been so swamped with the new-semester craze that I’ve neglected to participate in fall activities around campus. If you’re like me, looking for ways to “pumpkin” spice up your fall semester and fill that autumnal-shaped hole in your heart, here are some recommendations as you settle into the semester.

1. TV shows and movies

With the new season arriving, it can feel impossible to leave your bed, so cuddle up with your blankets and watch a movie from your never-ending Letterboxd watchlist. There are a myriad of fall-themed movies and television series across many genres, so here’s a list of some to watch in the comfort of your bed or with friends/roommates during a movie night marathon.

Movies: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Dead Poets Society, When Harry Met Sally…, Twilight, the Scream franchise, Knives Out and Practical Magic 1 and 2 (the sequel just came out in theaters!)

TV shows: Twin Peaks, Gilmore Girls, Sharp Objects, True Detective, Only Murders in the Building and Over the Garden Wall

2. Fall recipes

I’m sure we’ve all witnessed the Trader Joe’s craze after the new fall items just dropped. If you have FOMO because you haven’t tried the new pumpkin cookies or apple cider doughnuts, there are many alternative ways to incorporate festive fall foods into your daily diet. For those chefs out there, these foods are perfect to bring to a club meeting or potluck, or you could make them just to satisfy your own cravings!

With Trader Joe’s having two locations near campus, it’s the perfect place to quench your fall cravings. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese — which I hear is a fan favorite — Pumpkin Brioche Twist, Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake and Autumnal Harvest Soup are the first items you should add to your basket.

If you have a caffeine addiction, you can put a twist on your daily caffeinated drink by incorporating pumpkin, cinnamon or apple flavors. There are also an infinite amount of recipes online if you’re interested in baking autumnal sweets from scratch. Apple pies, cinnamon buns, apple crisps, chai cookies, date cake … the list goes on. If you need a place to acquire ingredients, the Basic Needs Center and Berkeley Student Food Collective provide fresh autumn produce for free or at a reduced cost.

3. Go on a hike

With the weather starting to get colder, cloudier and foggier, the Berkeley hills mirror a scene out of a small-town mystery show. There are plenty of hikes students can go on to live out their Twilight dreams (and stay active).

The Clark Kerr Fire Trails right above Clark Kerr campus is a light hike to do with friends and catch a view of Berkeley from above. The Strawberry Canyon Fire Trail lies above the California Memorial Stadium and takes you on a journey deep into the woods. Lastly, the Stonewall-Panoramic Trail is a little steeper but offers an equally nice view of the bay and San Francisco, making it a good hike for the pros!

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even head across the bay to San Francisco or Mill Valley and explore a new location.

4. Fall-inspired arts and crafts

To spruce up your room or study area, you can make some fall-inspired crafts! A dried orange or apple garland is an autumnal decoration that’s simple to make and has a homey fragrance. You can also construct a collage or vision board of how you want this fall semester to go. If you’re a fiber arts connoisseur, you can crochet your own beanie or scarf to stay warm and upgrade your fall wardrobe. The newly opened makerspace in Moffitt Library has materials available to all students, so you can continue crafting to your heart’s desire even if you don’t have all the necessary materials at home.

If any of these activities piqued your interest, I encourage you to get out there and experience the beauty of the changing season. Even though the fall semester is a chaotic and busy season — with midterms right around the corner and never-ending applications — it’s never too late to get your “fall” on, slow down and embrace the whimsical things in life.