Stop being sad and read this ultimate guide to romanticising autumn in York

Autumn: When the weather turns grey and uni deadlines start kicking in. I find the only way to stay sane is to make your life seem like something out of your Pinterest board (though on a budget because SFE is not quite cutting it). The cold, dark nights are not for the weak, but this doesn’t mean Autumn doesn’t have its perks.

It’s not quite winter yet but summer has well and truly passed and we probably won’t see the sun until next June. So, romanticising this crisp autumn weather is the only way you can hope to deter the seasonal depression.. until winter at least.

Coffee dates

I bet you’re not surprised that the first priority is going out for coffee. There are so many cafes in York that offer a range of drinks you know you shouldn’t really be buying. However, I excuse it by trying to catch up on some work (and surprisingly don’t get kicked out for being there for three hours and only getting one drink).

Whether you’re going with friends or doing a solo-date, make sure to snap a picture. Then you can prove you actually did something productive that day. Also look out for student discounts – the biggest benefit of student life that almost makes the debt worth it. Lots of places have student deals running especially during autumn.

Movie marathon

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To celebrate autumn, especially when the weather or your freshers flu is particularly bad, cosy up and watch your favourite films . Bonus points if it’s Harry Potter or any Tim Burton film. If you don’t have the attention span to sit through multiple films, then I would recommend doing a series marathon instead. My favourite is Gilmore Girls (of course). It’s the epitome of autumn.

Theatres are another great way to channel your inner childhood, with film festivals running across autumn, for those craving that unique cinema experience.

Baking

Autumn is the season when cinnamon buns are overly appreciated and pumpkin spice seems to be included in anything edible. Cookies are the easiest and tastiest to make (in my totally unbiased opinion). If in doubt, TikTok will always help you put your questionable baking skills to practice.

Baking is the perfect way to unite your flat, have a cosy night in and be rewarded with your hard-earned sweet treat. To me, that’s the perfect night in.

Activities

If you are wanting to find something spooky (and free) to do, York has so much on offer. A fave of mine is Ghosts in the Gardens, where wire-mesh sculptures are located around York, including the Museum Gardens and Clifford’s Tower, with a free trail map to follow.

There is also an evening experience called Ghosts: The Untold Story at the start of November, offering spooky storytelling. A great way to get yourself into the Halloween spirit (see what I did there).

Autumn shopping essentials

Autumn is my favourite season because you get to wear your comfiest clothes and it still looks “aesthetic”. Your must haves this autumn should include: Big sweaters, Uggs, big chunky scarfs, candles and a hoard of pumpkin-related decorations to spruce up your room for the winter. I’m so excited just thinking about this.

Even better is getting these on a budget, introducing Primark as your stylish best friend. So, go treat yourself, you deserve it!