How To: Romanticize the Start of the School Year

Mikaela Woo, Staff Writer • September 28, 2023

Fall is the season of pumpkin spice lattes, cute Uggs, and comfy sweaters, marking the start of a new school year. Although many students detest the start of the fall semester and would rather linger in the relaxation of their summer festivities, autumn can also be a time of rejuvenation! Here are five ways for a productive, cozy and entirely “Pinterest-y” fall semester.

Making an autumn playlist

Making a playlist stacked with fall tunes will spruce up daily passing periods and nightly studying sessions that ensue during the start of the year. Fan favorite artists include Mitski, Lana Del Rey, Suki Waterhouse and more! As a beginning of the year gift from the Gamut staff to your Spotify, listen to the Fall 2023 playlist linked on The Gamut website by yours truly!

Indulge in seasonal treats

Treat yourself this fall with some delectable autumnal confections: cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin are fall’s richest and most iconic flavors. Baking seasonal pastries like cookies and breads are an easy way to satisfy study session starves and dive the cozy fall spirit. If you’re not much of a chef, Stater Brothers’ and Trader Joes have delicious autumn treats like cinnamon cookies, pumpkin spice latte pretzels, and pumpkin popcorn!

Fall films

Fall series and movies are one of the most nostalgic and comforting parts about the start of the fall season. Cuddle up on the couch with a warm cup of hot cocoa and restart a classic fall series like Gilmore Girls or even a Disney Channel Original Movie like Halloweentown!

Attend fall sporting and school events

American teenage culture includes attending school sporting events with a roaring school spirit, participating in spirit weeks, and watching Friday night football games. Although OA lacks traditional highschool staples like football games, our fall sports “Senior Nights” are always a blast and a spirited way to send off some of Oxford’s senior athletes!

New wardrobe!

With a variety of warm colors in the autumnal color pallet, and a multitude of cooler weather clothing, the options are endless for a new fall wardrobe. Thrifting is an incredible way to save money, help the environment, and expand your fall collection! Find articles and accessories like a cute new pair of boots and cozy sweaters at local thrift shops like Goodwill and the Anaheim Thrift.

Instead of looking at fall as the season of impending gloom, make it symbolize the turning over of a new leaf (literally) and a period of fresh starts in the crisp autumn air. Happy fall, Patriots!

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About the Contributors

Mikaela Woo, Staff Writer

Mikaela Woo is a sophomore staff writer who, after a little push from her English teacher, decided to pursue her passion for writing, joining the Gamut back in 2022. She hopes to inform readers through her research and reporting, focusing on topics in A&E and Sports, which align with her deep love for softball, music, and pop culture. Possessing a bold, friendly, and dynamic personality, Mikaela is open to pretty much everyone and not shy about what she likes. She has mixed music tastes, ranging from pop girly-girl vibes to heartbreak country songs, and she often listens to artists such as Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Zach Bryan, and Cody Johnson. Beyond music, readers won't be able to catch her without her phone, Diet Coke, and makeup, notably her mascara. Mikaela also enjoys the vibrant and endearingly campy nostalgia of classic 2000s teen-girl movies and shows like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and Gilmore Girls. In the face of a challenge, she remains persistent and resilient, always being able to handle them just in time. Mikaela’s authenticity shines through, especially in her work, so make sure to tune in! It's Mikaela’s era this year, her version.

Isabella Sanchez, Staff Artist

Isabella Sanchez is a sophomore illustrator embarking on the beginning of her Gamut journey. An avid artist who enjoys drawing and animation, she’s excited to express writers’ ideas through art. Serving on the board of OA Spotlight, she’s continuously exploring her creative side. Taking this artistic aptitude to another level, Isabella enjoys crocheting stuffed animals and playing guitar. Reflecting her strong talents, her Pinterest feed features architecture, art, and crochet. If given the ability to create her dream room, it would be one filled with bookshelves and pops of yellow — her favorite color! And it perfectly suits her warm, bubbly personality. Isabella dreams of traveling the world someday and going even further above and beyond as an astronaut. Involved in Robotics, she’s taken an interest in engineering. Armed with her beloved Doc Martens, Isabella is ready for a year filled with new adventures.