5 Things You Can Do as a College Student to Keep the Halloween Spirit Alive
As a college student, I have found myself going through the post-fantastical holiday blues. I just made that up...genius right? Basically, what I'm trying to say is that holidays, Halloween in specific, are no longer spectacular events anymore. The horror in our lives nowadays comes from professors stacking up assignments with witchy grins. Absolutely horrifying. Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I decided to compile a list of activities (5 to be exact) that have helped me not lose every last ounce of my sanity and do so while keeping it kinda spooky(ish).
#1- Watch Horror Movies
Ok, I know this one is basic, but let me explain. I don’t mean watch Halloween Town or any other mild, meant for children movies. Nothing against those movies, truly, but we are college students now. It's time to step it up. I mean download Letterboxd (not sponsored I just wanted to boost my ego by name dropping it), and meticulously hunt through lists that random people have spent insane amounts of time putting together, just for other people to stumble upon and decide the movies aren’t “edgy” and keep searching. I’ve been spending every moment I have watching absolute horrific and insanely twisted movies, and it definitely made me think about things other than my discussion posts. So... I guess that’s a win?
#2 Call Your Parents Back!
This one can be truly horrifying, trust me I know. We both know that those texts and calls have been racking up. Your mother wants to know how midterms went, and if you have enough socks for the winter, while your dad is wondering why the money from your bank account has depleted five minutes after the direct deposit hits. I know this is scary, maybe scarier than some random indie-horror film that won at some random film festival in some random country. I promise if you want to feel spooked out this Halloween season, break the news to your parents about how your grades have been going this semester. Works every time!
#3 Make some food for yourself for once.
I said it. No more walking to the cafeteria to eat either pasta, chicken tenders, or whatever global is serving that day. This one is scary folks, I know. But here’s the deal. You want to be really scared? Try out the adult life for a day. Find a way to feed yourself with real American dollars instead of flex. You could make some candied apples or slice up some fresh pumpkin pie, either way you are not allowed to go to the caf. I’ve seen those orange Rice Krispy Treat balls they have on display. Yes, they look amazing, no you can’t cheat and get one. MAKE YOUR OWN TREATS! I promise it will taste good for 5 seconds, and then the mess you left in your kitchen from baking will be your next scare! Bonus points!!!!
#4 Walk Somewhere
This one is self-explanatory, but I will still explain. It’s so easy to fall into a depressive state, stuck in an incessant loop around campus and then back to your dorm. Try walking down the street gazing at the maple-colored leaves drifting slowly down from the perfectly manicured trees lining Tennyson. I promise you, while you might run into people you know and get embarrassed that you are walking aimlessly around with no purpose, it’s worth it. It has re-invigorated my fear of being perceived by faceless people speeding past in cars. So spooky!
#5 Drink Wine (but in an adult whose cool way)
This one isn’t scary immediately. First you must drive to the dollar store and buy plastic wine glasses that say weird things like “summer vibes” or “Hawaii time”. Realistically not many of us college students thought to buy pure wine glasses from an upstanding home goods store, so dollar store ones will have to do. I haven't even gotten to the scary part yet believe it or not. Next you have to obtain some wine, you’ll probably choose red because you’ve seen it in the movies, and finally you can return home. I recommend sipping slowly, enjoying it with some food, as most adults do. But if you aren’t a wine connoisseur like me, you’ll probably end up drinking one too many. Here’s the Halloween surprise, wine hangovers are the absolute worst. Now we’ve arrived at the spooky part. Your head is throbbing, and you have a discussion post to write. Did I scare you yet?