Fall in London: What to do after Halloween

There are so many ways to enjoy autumn

Alright, you've managed the first few weeks!

You're now well aware of which lift tends to always be out of order, which hob in the kitchen ever gets hot, and how many minutes you can afford to sleep before being late for your 9 am lecture. At that point, halls start feeling a bit homier. 

Nevertheless, November can be quite unexpected. One day it's bright light and a cheeky sunny stroll to university, and suddenly skies turn dark grey…  But still, a wonderful journey in London can be experienced! 

Get outside!

Try to get outside even for just twenty minutes before it gets too dark. During these short days, it’s extremely easy to be in bed all day long going from there straight to lectures and back home without ever seeing the sun.

🍂 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is just next to LSE campus and is filled with orange leaves!

🦌 Regent’s Park and St James’s Park are great places for walking with a takeaway hot chocolate while Richmond Park is full of deers during autumn.

🍁 Hampstead Heath offers one of the best views of London and it’s the best place to put on your cosiest jumper.

Museums, museums, museums!

When it rains, seek refuge in one of the many museums. The V&A, Natural History Museum, British Museum, Science Museum and Tate Modern are FREE... and nice and dry inside. I was at the Natural History Museum with a friend during a really rainy weekend and came out feeling much happier than when I first got there.

Become your flat chef

Also, you don't need to be extravagant to have fun. Try cooking new dishes and recipes.

Cooking is a simple way to spice up a boring week and all you need is a stove or even a microwave.

🍲 A butternut squash soup will not cost much and will give you multiple lunches.

🥣 Porridge with diced apples and cinnamon might make your dreary mornings better.

🍎 A homemade microwave apple crumble (apples, oats, butter, sugar) can be cooked in a couple of minutes.

☕️ Hot chocolate or chai tea can also make you feel so good on a cold fall evening!

The most important thing about cheering up is making a meal reminding you of home. Once I made my mother's pumpkin soup recipe with my friend and our kitchen started smelling like home. At the end of the day, eating together is the quickest way to change your mood!

Acknowledge your feelings

Finally, if you find that your homesickness is beginning to drag you down, then don’t deny it.

It is perfectly natural to feel homesick and does not necessarily mean that you have chosen a bad route for yourself. Make sure that you talk to your family or friends on a regular basis, agree to plans no matter how tempting it is to refuse in favour of staying in bed.

Small habits make a big difference: get outside in daylight, plan something cosy each week, and share a meal with people around you.

Make sure to take care of yourself!