#csun

As the air finally starts to cool and the sun sets a little earlier, I can feel fall slowly making its way onto campus. The trees near the USU are beginning to fade into soft gold, and it’s the perfect time to pull out my sweaters, make warm drinks, and romanticize every walk to class. The fall semester at CSUN feels like a mix of golden light, chai lattes, and soft background music. I’ve been journaling more lately, sitting outside the library and watching the sunlight change. There’s something magical about how even LA manages to feel cozy this time of year despite the temperature never dripping too much .

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🎬 My Fall Movie Watchlist

This season, I want to lean into all things cozy and cinematic. I plan to start with When Harry Met Sally — the ultimate fall classic with city romance and warm colors. Then I’ll watch You’ve Got Mail for that bookstore-and-coffee-shop aesthetic. Practical Magic will be my witchy comfort film for October nights, and Knives Out gives me that perfect cozy-mystery energy. I’ll rewatch Dead Poets Society on a quiet night when I feel like journaling, and Coraline will definitely be my Halloween-week movie. Little Women is on the list for soft, feminine fall vibes, and of course, Gilmore Girls will be my constant background show for study sessions and slow mornings. I even want to make a “movie jar,” where I write each title on pink slips of paper and pick one to watch every weekend.

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☕ My Favorite Cozy Spots on Campus

One of my favorite fall rituals is finding quiet, comforting places on campus. The Freudian Sip at the Sierra Center is at the top of my list — it’s perfect for a caramel macchiato or a cinnamon chai before class, and I love people-watching while I write in my planner. The third floor of the Oviatt Library has the calmest energy; the lighting is warm, and it’s the best place to journal or read when I need peace and quiet.

When I want to study outside, I go to the outdoor lounge at the USU. The trees there start to turn golden by late October, and it’s a dreamy place to sit with friends or have a solo coffee date. My favorite hidden spot, though, is the Orange Grove and pond. It’s so peaceful early in the morning, with ducks swimming and leaves drifting across the water. It feels like a secret fall escape right in the middle of Northridge. And when I’m in a creative mood, I love spending time in the Creative Maker Studio in the library basement. It’s cozy, low-key, and perfect for printing pink stickers or designing fall-themed art projects.

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🍎 My Fall Freshman Goals