Sophomore Sentiments: Finding fun as fall approaches

September 30, 2014

507 3 minutes read

As soon as summer ends and fall sets in, the stay-in-with-Netflix mentality slowly comes back in time for the change of weather, but given Rider’s location, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are other events and activities to do when the Netflix marathons and manhunt games aren’t cutting it. Just because the warm weather leaves us, doesn’t mean the fun has to as well.
One of the best ways to enjoy the fall is to visit farms and orchards for apple and pumpkin picking. Terhune Orchards in Lawrence is only a 10-minute drive from Rider. This farm is the perfect place for all things fall; the farm gives you the opportunity to pick strawberries, blackberries, apples and pumpkins or buy some of the best local apple cider. This would make the perfect fall day trip. You can pick whatever autumn treats you want and still have some pumpkins to carve in time for Halloween.
If you’re in the mood to explore what is off campus, just hop on the shuttle and head to Princeton. Princeton has a lot to offer for the fall season. Through the month of October, the Princeton Tour Company holds a variety of historical, celebrity and ghost tours weekly which begin near Princeton University. The Princeton Tour Company posts a new schedule for its events weekly on their website and provide everything you would need for a late night Halloween ghost tour or a weekend Hollywood history lesson. The Princeton University Art Museum also opens its doors weekly and displays art from all over the world with free admission.
For most, fall is also considered the return of most sports, especially football. Just because Rider doesn’t have a football team of its own doesn’t mean students can’t enjoy the games of our other local universities. Princeton University is a short ride away by car or by Rider’s shuttle, and, once fall starts up, so do the football games at Princeton. A game is a great way to spend a fall Saturday, and if you want to play nice, you can even root for the Tigers.
Don’t forget to catch a Rider basketball or hockey game. Rider is also hosting a trip to see the Philadelphia Flyers play the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 9. The trip brings students to the Wells Fargo Center to take a tour and watch the game. Transportation is provided and tickets are available at the ticket booth for only $20.
If you aren’t into pumpkin picking or sports, there’s always making the most of what Rider’s campus has to offer. You can spend the afternoon having a picnic with friends on the campus mall, enjoying a good book lakeside in a gazebo, or getting some homework done outside Cranberry’s.
If you are more of an arsty type, you could always turn to theater. You can buy a ticket for Rider’s fall musical, Lucky Stiff, at the Yvonne Theatre, opening on Oct. 8. Performance tickets are only $5 for students and the show itself definitely won’t disappoint. Be sure to make the most of on-campus and student-run events. All events in the theater, the pub, and even in residence halls are held to keep the fun happening during the fall and should be taken advantage of.
We are lucky to live in an area that has seasons. Many people around the world are not fortunate enough to enjoy the changing of the leaves and crisp fall breezes. So be sure to embrace the beauty of fall before the cold winter months move in.
Fall doesn’t have to be a stay-in-with-Netflix season. With a few ideas and a few places to go, you can make sure you enjoy your fall as much as the seasons that come before it.