Want something to keep the motivation up during this busy fall? Here are some ideas to give you a break from your mountain of work.

• Participate in Spirit Week – Spirit Week brings an excellent opportunity to distract yourself from the stress. There are numerous activities to watch or participate in, such as the Battle of the Bands or the several other themed games. Not only are there activities, but there are also themes on each day. I have noticed that the participation has been declining since I got to Magnet, so I encourage everyone to join in on the fun to bring the Magnet spirit back. It is entertaining to see what everyone came up with as their costume and I am especially excited to do the Senior Spin-off. Coachella is always a fun theme during the fall season.

• Go to Boone Hall Fright Night – As the sun sets and the temperature drops, a sense of eeriness creeps over the land. Through the mist, a haunted house, a maze crowded with different phobias, and a tractor ride through the dark forest await those who dare to enter. The aroma of funnel cakes and sound of booming music fill the air at Boone Hall’s Fright Night. Get together with friends to take on the challenge of enduring your worst fears. I definitely recommend doing this at least once before you graduate just for the experience. The food trucks themselves have delicious foods, some of my favorites being Nothing Bundt Cakes and topped fries. 
• Work on Wall Day with your friends – Decorating with your peers is a great way to build friendships while having fun. As a general tip, I recommend preparing decorations beforehand. Also, hand-made decorations are always better than purchased because it shows how much time you spent on them. You can make a playlist to blast while decorating (just make sure it is appropriate) and bring supplies to school. Stay during the Friday after decorating to see the results of the grade competitions and celebrate school spirit with dancing, challenges, and more.

• Go to Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch – Pumpkins, corn mazes, and more-I recommend going to the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch to get the full fall experience. This event in Mount Pleasant has the perfect opportunity to spend time with loved ones while harvesting pumpkins, taking cute pictures, and enjoying the fall weather as the auburn leaves fall. According to the site, the activities include the corn maze, family friendly Halloween tractor tour, circus, mini-golf course, magic show, petting zoo, pig races, inflatables, bee exhibit, rubber duck races, live performances, and more. You can also purchase a pony ride and face paint. Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. (2025, September 3). The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch – Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. https://boonehallplantation.com/special_event/the-boone-hall-pumpkin-patch/

• Host a Friendsgiving – Before or during Thanksgiving week, Friendsgiving gives an excuse to bring everyone together outside of school-and what is a better way to do so, especially while eating delicious food? Everyone can bring a board, like dessert themed or any of your favorite foods, or they can bring a specific dish for Thanksgiving. I want to try this before I head to college next year so that I can make the most of the limited time I have while we are all in the same place. 

• Make the most of the warm days at the beach – The waves hush quietly on the shore as the sun sets and dolphins splash in the water. A breeze of fresh, salty air brushes over your face as you make the moments of the last moments of daylight. You drive home with your windows down and music playing as a sense of serenity overfills you. As the days get colder, make the most of the beach while you can. I’ve recently enjoyed driving to the beach to walk my dog at around 7pm to see the sunset at Sullivan’s Island. After school, the beach can be a peaceful escape from the business of the first semester.

• Check out the fall menu at Starbucks – A sip of Iced Pumpkin Chai Latte and a bite of Baked Apple Croissant at Starbucks are perfect ways to celebrate fall. For the coffee fans, there’s also a Pumpkin Latte, both iced and warm. Sitting in Starbucks can provide a different setting for studying and getting homework done. You can make it a motivation to get your work done by buying yourself a treat.

• Go to the mountains – Since most of the trees in Charleston don’t turn orange until spring, the mountains are a great place to immerse yourself in the fall colors and weather. You can use this as an excuse to have a trip with your friends and maybe even tour some colleges while you’re at it! I bring my dog up with me whenever I go to Greenville and she loves to hike with us and race along the paths.

• Bake/cook fall desserts or meals – My mom makes the most delicious chocolate chip pumpkin cookies and bread, and you should try making it too! The pumpkin makes the cookie taste almost like cake while the chocolate chips bring the right amount of sweetness. This is a great activity to do with friends as well when you are hanging out or having a sleepover. You can turn on a horror or Halloween movie while you are baking for the full experience.

• Second Sunday – Go downtown during the second Sunday of each month to enjoy the open streets of Charleston. There’s shopping, food, and more to explore and enjoy. I believe there are flower shops and places where you can make jewelry as well, which I have been wanting to try out. There are numerous restaurants and cafes that I enjoy, such as Playa Bowls or Mama Kim’s, which I recommend.

I hope that this list gives you some inspiration for activities to do this fall, and remember that you got this! With the Holiday season coming up, there are a multitude of fun holidays and activities to look forward to.