As the air begins to chill and the leaves change colors, students are diving into the autumn season by participating in a variety of activities. Some students said that they are digging into the Halloween spirit, as October is “spooky season.” Here are five activities that SHU students are doing this fall:
Attending football games
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Photo courtesy of Erin Neupauer[/caption]
“Everything’s better during football season,” Matt Smolen, a senior biology major, said. From high school bleachers to NFL stadiums, football has brought students together every Sunday.
It is more than the game itself that makes football so special to Smolen. “It’s tailgating in the parking lot and the energy of the crowd that creates the full game day experience,” Smolen said. Football has become just as much of a social gathering as it is a sport, giving those who are not fans, a reason to celebrate.
Haunted houses
Despite her fears, Emily Braverman, a senior education major, said she views haunted houses as an “unbreakable tradition” in October. “I’m terrified and I still go every year, you have to,” Braverman said. Students can visit the Bane Haunted House in Livingston which is named the scariest haunted house in New Jersey, according to its website.
Nicki Curran, a senior biology major, often attends haunted houses with her friends. “October can be a stressful time at school so going out to a haunted house with my friends is definitely something I look forward to,” Curran said. “We always have a great time and I’m excited to go again this year.”
Halloween movies
For students who do not plan on attending haunted houses anytime soon, watching classic Halloween movies can be an alternative. “I live for those old Disney movies that everyone forgets about,” said Kelly Carr, a senior public relations major. Carr said she often watches “Twitches,” “Under Wraps” and “Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire” every October.
Freeform, formerly known as ABC Family, recently changed its “13 Nights of Halloween” program to a monthlong television marathon, called “31 Nights of Halloween.” The marathon air, classic Halloween movies like “Hocus Pocus” and “ParaNorman” every night until Oct. 31.
Apple and pumpkin picking
Some students went to local orchards to pick apples and pumpkins at local orchards. Erin Neupauer, a junior visual sound and media major, recently went apple picking and said, “It was just a completing relaxing and enjoyable day.”
If students are unable to attend a full-day trip to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, they can visit the farmer’s market in South Orange each Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. to purchase a variety of apples, pumpkins and squash Neubauer said.
Carving pumpkins
After picking their pumpkins from the patch, some students carved different shapes, patterns and creative designs into their pumpkins to be used as jack-o’-lanterns on Halloween. Braverman said carving pumpkins is what truly gets her to be in the Halloween mood.
“They [the pumpkins] are not just the same old decorations you pull out of the attic each year,” Braverman said. “They’re unique and give your house some personality.” She added that carving pumpkins is one of the best parts of Halloween.
Eilish Montgomery can be reached at eilish.montgomery@student. shu edu
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