Seasonal drinks have made their way back to campus and students are lining up to get their hands on the first pumpkin spice latte of the season. For many, the start of fall is not marked by cooler temperatures or changing leaves, but by the release of these long-awaited drinks.
“There is lots of hype happening when the fall drinks come out. I feel like there have been longer lines and I’ve seen more people walking around with drinks,” said Rhianna Jenkins, a freshman elementary education major.
Some students even admit they are one of the first in line when the fall menus are released.
“I am definitely part of the population that waits for the fall drinks to drop and orders it the day of,” said Karly Hartzheim, a senior biology major.
Whether it is pumpkin spice, apple, maple, pecan or even chai-flavored, students say there is a certain cozy vibe that these drinks bring when sipped on the way to class or studying in the library.
“Sipping on a fall drink while on campus really makes me remember that there’s more than just the stress of class happening,” Jenkins said. “Even after studying, making that quick drive to 7 Brew or Starbucks, the coffee always hits differently. It’s like a little treat after being tortured with work.”
Fall drinks also tend to get tied to certain moods and routines. For a lot of students, they bring out feelings of comfort or even seasonal traditions.
“I associate fall drinks with studying and with cozy mornings watching shows like ‘Gilmore Girls’,” said Maeve Conner, a freshman undeclared major.
For others, the drinks are linked to memories that feel a little more personal.
“To me, the pumpkin chai from Starbucks holds memories with my mom when she would always get a chai drink.” Jenkins said. “I usually don’t get chai, but when I do, it’s like having my mom with me still.”
Some say these drinks are not complete without the right setting. The warm lighting, seasonal decorations and overall atmosphere of a coffee shop can shape the whole fall experience, and students have strong opinions about which local cafes capture that mood best.
“I love how all the local shops here decorate to capture the ‘fall feeling,’” said Katie Lish, a sophomore marketing major. “Morning Grind has been a recent favorite. They just redid the inside, and it is so cozy in there.”
Students also tend to look for a more calmer or relaxing vibe in local coffee shops.
“I feel like Blackbird has the best fall vibes because their drinks are really good and the inside is nice and calming,” Conner said.
A quick stop for a seasonal drink on the way to class can make campus feel just a little more festive. On busy mornings, these drinks can give students a small moment to pause and enjoy the season.
“I love going before class with friends so we can enjoy our drinks on the way,” Lish said.
These drinks do not just taste like fall, they help add a special touch to the campus experience.
“Sipping on my fall drink allows me to romanticize college in the best way,” Hartzheim said.
Seasonal drinks will remain available at campus and local coffee shops throughout the fall semester, alongside the traditions and activities that mark the season at GCSU.