Fall Festival was last week, and it served as a welcome break to GCSU students from the stress of the semester and midterms. This event, run by the Campus Activity Board , served as yet another opportunity for students to build community with one another.
“It’s really nice to see everyone take a break between their classes and get to enjoy something in unison,” said CAB President Kylie Gregg, a senior psychology major.
With pumpkin painting, hayrides, yard games and Morning Grind coffee, the festival offered plenty of fun autumn-themed activities to take students’ minds off classes for a moment. Students enjoyed the pumpkin carving, coffee and taking fall pictures.
“My favorite part is hanging out with my friends and grabbing pumpkins together and laughing while painting,” said Payton Muck, a freshman art major.
Finding community is important for college students no matter their age, and CAB puts on these events to foster communication between students with different interests to find support. Gregg spoke about how having a community can help students be supported emotionally, academically and all around.
Though it was hot outside, students still spent time outside under the clear sky surrounded by the smell of coffee, crunching of leaves and sights of perfectly painted pumpkins.
Thunder walked around front campus to take pictures with anyone who asked, and there was a photo booth for students to take pictures with their pumpkins. Overall, the Fall Festival served as a great photo opportunity and students took advantage of that.
Being able to take a break from college life to be thrown into a fall aesthetic wonderland was a welcome adventure for freshman biology major Mardy Pierre.
“I just love the aesthetics of fall, all the colors are so pretty and it’s really nice outside,” Pierre said. “I love how they have all the decorations for the pumpkins.”
While most students came for the free pumpkins and free coffee, many stayed to paint a masterpiece on their gourds. The welcoming feeling and cozy music entranced students to stay awhile despite the heat.
Some students didn’t know the festival was happening, but the festivities drew in plenty of passersby. Students said they heard the music, saw the pumpkins and felt in the fall spirit, noting how it served as a great distraction when walking to and from class and needing a quick way to pass the time.
During the busy semester it can be difficult for students to make time for friends or even just for themselves, so it is important to have events like these where it’s easy for friends to get together to do something fun. The Fall Festival and events like it also serve to expand students’ friend groups by giving them opportunities to meet new friends.
Apart from the social troubles that can come from having a packed academic schedule, there is also the stress that some students may face while trying to stay on top of their classes. Social events like the festival also serve as a way to relax and take students’ minds off class with simple fun distractions.
“It helps a lot with your mental health, especially with midterms that just past,” Pierre said. “Just being outside and with everyone, that makes you feel a lot better.”
“It gives you a chance to clear your mind,” said Parker Greer, a sophomore Management Information Systems major. “To feel better and take your mind off things for a little bit.”
The Fall Festival was a welcome distraction for students, giving them the opportunity to paint pumpkins, play yard games and enjoy a nice coffee. Despite the hot temperatures it was a beautiful day and a great way to spend a couple of hours.