For those of you who may not be aware of what I am talking about, the romanticisation of autumn started as a social media trend and quickly manifested itself into real life. It is people trying to glamorise their gloomy days so that they can be more productive, more positive and so on.
So, it won’t come as a surprise that students are the biggest contributors to this trend, given that student life isn’t exactly just fun and games.
It comes with a lot of stressors like the overwhelming workload, finding yet another dinner recipe, budgeting your student finance, and just trying to keep up when it always seems like everyone but yourself has their life together.
Getting yourself a coffee before each early morning lecture, treating yourself to a cute outfit, reading a cosy novel any chance you get, watching shows and films deemed aesthetically fitting for the season (*cough* Gilmore Girls and Harry Potter *cough*), these are all parts of making your autumn aesthetic, and I’m sure you can think of a friend or two who fit this niche.
Why does this happen every year? How come it's students who make up most of this trend?
Well, evidence from the Journal of Quranic and Social Studies shows that on social media, TikTok specifically, young users are exposed to influencers, peers and trending content that model certain behaviours and when young people see this behaviour rewarded by likes, comments and social recognition, they are more likely to replicate it.
But is it as simple as that?
"Romanticising can help us cope with student difficulties."
Romanticising can help us cope with student difficulties. Make sure you always have something to look forward to, because having lectures and being in the cold isn’t fun.
It may not be something every student does, but I can definitely understand those who do.
The slow mornings provide a sense of control when you may be buried in assignments, debriefing over an overpriced coffee can get your mind off any homesickness, and treating yourself to cute and cosy decor can get you in the mood for Halloween or Christmas.
Anyway, the point I’m trying to emphasise is that it’s no secret that being a student is demanding in more ways than one. I think the majority will agree that winter is the worst period because the days are darker and colder, and it feels as if there’s no end in sight.
If you find yourself feeling the same way, I’d suggest giving romanticising your autumn a shot.