Here’s a guide on how to have a cosy Exeter girl autumn

It’s nearly reading week, everyone’s complaining about fever and shockingly they don’t mean the club – we’re all ill with the same cold and it’s not stopped raining for longer than half an hour all week. It’s officially time to swap the squadka and going out tops for mugs of Lemsip and dressing gowns.

If you’re thinking of giving the sports social a miss this week and cosying up with your housemates (or just with a pair of fluffy socks), here are some of the best autumnal activities from a certified cosy girl.

1. Go to Waterstones and treat yourself to a new book

If you’re going with a date (or a mate), pick out books for each other to read or even the same one and get a mini book club going.

2. Movie marathons

Harry Potter and Twilight are essential autumn movies, so, snuggle up on the sofa or in bed with fairy lights on and ignore your impending deadlines by having a laugh at the terrible acting or feel inspired by the dark academia vibes.

3. Bake Off nights

It’s October which means Bake Off is back on and warming all our hearts. Bake cookies or brownies before the show and enjoy them while watching or chaotically try and recreate something they’ve made after.

4. Warm up with a tea

If you do get caught in the rain, try a new delicious mix of comforting flavours from the Bird & Blend tea shop in town to warm you up from the inside.

5. Carve pumpkins

As we get closer to Halloween, it’s time to carve pumpkins – put a spooky film on in the background and get creative. Even try and make soup from the innards to keep the autumnal energy going and avoid waste!

6. Go charity shopping for cosy jumpers

Hunt for the perfect Rory Gilmore jumper down Gandy Street, and if all luck fails, try Depop or Vinted.

7. Candle making

Buy a big bag of plain candles and use different coloured tea lights to paint with the wax on the candles or boil water and soak them so you can twist them into fun shapes.

8. Wine and cheese night

Gather the girlies and splash out on Tesco Finest wine. Each bring a different cheese and a bottle and have a tasting night, just don’t forget the crackers to soak up all the wine!

9. Leaf rubbings

Remember doing leaf rubbings in primary school? Bring it back to make artwork for your room with the pretty autumn leaves falling all around Forum.

10. Have a Bob Ross painting evening

An old classic, put on one of his videos and get all of your housemates to compete to see who can recreate it the best (and laugh at the inevitable failures).

Related articles recommended by this author:

• Plain clothed officers to patrol Exeter bars following string of sex attacks in the city

• University of Exeter is victorious in the first round of University Challenge

• Here are my top 10 favourite things as a final year Exeter Uni student