Along with many other dorms and building around campus, Fuess house is glittered with orange and red leaves
As Andover shifts from fall to winter, students across campus weigh the thrill of color against the cold ahead. Campus routines shift with changes in mood, study habits, and time outdoors. For many, it’s a time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the last of the warm weather before winter arrives.
Julie Chan ’27
“Autumn is my favorite season because the leaves are changing. During the winter they’re all bare, so it’s pretty nice just looking out the window every morning and seeing the trees and leaves changing from yellow to red… I’ve been appreciating nature more than I usually do. I’m not that creative as a person but I try to take more photos, especially the Bell Tower or the [Cochran] Chapel, because the trees beside them really just complement the color of the buildings.”
Frank Hu ’26
“I’ve lived in New England all my life, and I’ve always been able to appreciate the beauty of the trees, especially right now, as a lot of trees start turning red, but the leaves have not yet fallen. It really feels as if the world is coming alive, and the red, with the yellows, with the greens. They all come together to create this beautiful hue… Obviously, it’s not easy dealing with the shorter days. I like hanging out under the sun, and the darkness is not necessarily conducive to a good mood. [Still,] the fall makes me tempted to write some poems after college apps are done.”
Dewi Manoppo ’29
“We should have more cozy fall [activities]. You look at The Weekender and it’s like a Halloween event downtown or things like that. That’s cool to a specific point, but fall doesn’t just represent Halloween. We should do more fall and cozy stuff. Carving pumpkins was good, but we need to do more.”
Takunda Basvi ’28
“Fall is fast-paced. The way that the leaves change, the weather, and how it starts to rain. You never know what’s going to happen or what’s going on. I just prioritize the people around me [to deal with the colder, darker days]. I hang out a lot with my friends, and I’ve started to prioritize nights in relaxing, watching Netflix, ordering in, and just being comfortable within my own room instead of just being out all the time.”
Daniyal Fatehali ’29
“The fall has really motivated me to make more [art]… For me, my go-to place on this campus is the Elson Art [Center]. From eighth grade, I discovered that art was one way for me to distance myself, especially making concept art for things I might actually never do in the future… At the Elson art store, I buy a lot of supplies. I spent $50 getting this whole new pencil case set up with pens, fountain pens, and a bunch of mechanical pencils I use to make art nowadays.
Mayen Etuk ’26
“I like the new energy that comes from the summer. There’s a newness to fall. You see it because the leaves are falling, and that by itself feels like a renewal for the trees. But for the students themselves, fall offers the possibility of a new year and starting fresh, and has an energy about it throughout the entire term. I don’t feel there’s any particular moment or highlight. It’s just a sustained energy. It’s sad that this is the last time that I’m going to see Andover in its best state [because I’m a Senior].”
