As Halloween approaches at GCSU, students are preparing for a weekend filled with costumes, spooky events and plenty of photo opportunities. Whether they lean towards a DIY costume, pop culture references or simple looks, many are searching for ways to make their outfits stand out without overspending.

Halloween on campus is more than just one day. With Boo Bash, haunted houses and themed parties across Milledgeville, costumes can become a several night occurrence. Rachel Hefner, a senior marketing major, plans to take full advantage of this.

“For Halloween this year I am being a party animal and Kesha,” Hefner said. She is also planning on coordinating with friends, “I am doing a group costume with a few friends, we are all being founding fathers.”

Group themes are a popular trend for students who want their costumes to feel more collaborative and memorable, whether it is coordinating for a sorority date night, matching with a partner or putting together a look with friends.

Hefner encourages students to embrace every chance to dress up while they can.

“My best advice is that you will never be in college again, so wear those crazy costumes, match with your friends and have fun. Money comes back, you will never have college Halloween again,” Hefner said.

Freshmen are also getting into the spirit, even while adjusting to their first fall semester on campus. As Halloween gets closer, new students are juggling the excitement of dressing up with the realities of college life.

“I’m not normally a last minute costume planner, I usually do things in advance, but time has slipped away from me in college,” said Hallie Zimmerman, a freshman business management major. 

Even with busy schedules and a new environment, students are still wanting to make time for Halloween traditions.

Eden Frayne, a freshman nursing major, said her plans include celebrating with close friends.

“For Halloween this year, I will probably watch a scary movie and bake cookies with friends. We’ve also been discussing attending a haunted house,” Frayne said.

Frayne also looks forward to dressing up throughout the weekend and choosing costumes that feel fun and nostalgic. 

“I try to dress up every year. My costumes were definitely more elaborate when I was younger and still trick or treating, but I think it’s a fun way to spend the holiday,” Frayne said.

Pop culture choices like movies, games and music have always been costume staples. For some, inspiration can come from their current interests.

“I mainly choose a costume based on whatever media I’m into at the time,” said Lily Marsden, a freshman biology major.

Marsden, like many students, said budgeting also influences her decision. 

“I’m poor, so I’m re-wearing a costume from high school,” she said. “I wanted to DIY my costume this year and buy it in separate pieces, but I’m not able to afford it.”

To keep things practical, she advises students to think about what is already in their closet before buying anything new. 

“I’d say go thrifting or try to use pieces that you already have,” Marsden said. 

Zimmerman is following a similar approach. 

“I wanted to see what I already had in my closet, so I didn’t have to spend as much money. I tried to pick a costume that I already had the stuff for,” Zimmerman said. 

This year she is choosing a simple, but classic costume, a black cat.  

Zimmerman’s best advice when it comes to Halloween costume planning is to “just wear something that you feel good and confident in.” 

Whether pulled from the back of a closet, thrifted, bought or handmade, GCSU students are putting their creativity on full display this Halloween.