Romanticize your fall: A guide to cozy media

Fall is more than a season; it’s a script. As the harvest season draws near, immerse yourself into the season by reframing the trite, small town of Oxford into a movie set of your making.

Whether you’re watching, reading or listening, this season’s media picks can turn an ordinary collegiate week into a romanticized montage — so light a candle, cue a soundtrack and step into your own narrative with these media must-haves.

What to watch:

As we trade our summer highs for seasonal depression, let’s flip the script and embrace the season for what it truly is.

As the blueprint for cozy fall shows, “Gilmore Girls” combines the best elements of the season into one. Whether born of realistic determination or fictional narration, Rory manages to make the chaos of college an aesthetic to embrace. Fueled by coffee and a hint of academic validation, grab your nearest chunky sweater and get to studying!

“Vampire Diaries” is the antidote for those craving mystique. Throw on a leather jacket, grab a late-night bite at Skippers, and let the shadows of Mystic Falls seep into Oxford’s streets as you wait for someone equally tortured to find you under the lamppost.

“Good Will Hunting” is a well-renowned classic, and it is the perfect watch for that mid-college existential spiral when you start asking yourself, “Who am I meant to be?” For anyone convinced they could have gotten their over-priced education from the library, follow Will as he navigates youth, purpose and a little autumnal love.

What to read:

For slower afternoons and the not-so-gentle reminder that books still exist, here are a few reads that pair perfectly with chai, blankets and the kind of gloomy grey skies that are practically begging for a good book.

“The Secret History” involves dark academia, secret societies and the kind of brooding intellect that makes you want to reread your syllabus. It’s a solid read for those who’d rather romanticize their studies without committing to their (actual) required reading, and possibly those in Greek life who survived hazing that was lowkey cult-adjacent.

Yes, “Twilight” was a book first. For those who think human life is far too mundane, swap your exam-overthinking for Edward Cullen fantasies and, who knows, maybe you just might be swept off your feet this spooky season.

Starry nights, whispered secrets and a foggy, aromatic atmosphere; “The Night Circus” is just the thing to spark a flicker of magic into an ordinary autumn day. This one’s for anyone who’s looked at the Uptown Farmers Market and thought, “This could use some tarot cards and top hats.”

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What to listen to:

Last but certainly not least, tune into your inner monologue with these autumn hits — because what’s a narration without a soundtrack? Let’s be honest: anything can be fall material, but here are some of my personal favs to queue up in the chilled air.

Fleetwood Mac has plenty of beloved classics for anyone feigning for jazz bars, red nails, cigarettes and black coffee. Tune into “Silver Springs,” “Dreams” and “Rhiannon” for autumn hits of the ages. Sexy, effortless and cultured, Fleetwood Mac is perfect for those curated autumn evenings.

My dad introduced me to Matchbox Twenty, and somehow they remind me of my 2000s teenage-angst era — which is impressive, considering I wasn’t even born yet. Tap into that side of yourself that wants to grab your battered black Converse and air-guitar your way to class. My personal favorites are “Push” and “3AM.”

Tune into classics like “Sweater Weather,” “Softcore” or “Cherry Flavored” from The Neighbourhood for late-night drives and crisp morning vibes. Perfect whether you’re going for a soft background beat or full-on jam session, these hits will have you itching for more.

Let these media must-haves show you how to feel fall — in the music, the mood and the color palettes. Pick your favorites, uncover those underground gems and curate your very own autumn narration.

hippekl@miamioh.edu