Autumn is one of the most underrated seasons for student life. Normally, a very ‘filler’ season between summer ending and Christmas time. It's that perfect balance between the start of the semester and exam season approaching.
The air cools down and suddenly everything becomes an excuse to be cosy. Making intentional plans with your flatmates can create bonds and ease homesickness.
Here are some of the best, cosiest and most fun activities you can do with your flatmates this autumn:
1) Host a cosy movie night
A proper autumn movie night goes hand in hand with cosy blankets and autumnal treats. Picking a festive movie with a theme will allow you to build up excitement and make the night more memorable, half the fun is in picking the film.
This is a low-effort but simple and timeless way to bond and enjoy time together.
2) Pumpkin carving night
Although pumpkin carving is chaotic and quite messy this is exactly why it works so well for bonding, everyone gathers armed with carving tools and an ambitious design which never really works out in the end. There's no harm in some lighthearted competition and some laughs.
If carving feels like too much effort, pumpkin painting is just as fun, safer, and produces surprisingly aesthetic results which are perfect for decorating windowsills or doorsteps.
3) Bake something seasonal together
There’s something incredibly comforting about baking with other people, especially on a chilly autumn evening. It fills the flat with warmth, delicious smells, and a sense of togetherness that everyone craves during the university grind.
Autumn is the season for baking simple but satisfying treats: apple crumble with warm custard, gooey cinnamon rolls, spiced pumpkin muffins, or even DIY hot chocolates topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Things will go wrong — someone will forget the sugar, the crumble might burn, and flour will probably end
up all over someone’s clothes — but these minor disasters are what make the experience memorable. Not only do you end up with something delicious to eat, but you share laughter, mess, and a break from everyday stress that strengthens the connection between you and your flatmates.
4) Have a flat "reset" night
It may not sound glamorous, but a flat reset night can genuinely transform your living environment and your relationships. Over the course of term, shared spaces slowly get messier, dishes mysteriously multiply and the energy starts to feel a little chaotic. Doing a reset together makes cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a fresh start. Put on some music, divide tasks, change the tea towels, and maybe rearrange a few things to create a cosier atmosphere.
You’ll be surprised how much better everyone feels after an hour spent tidying and talking. A cleaner flat reduces arguments, increases comfort and sets a healthier tone.
5) Host a game night
Game nights can turn even the quietest flat into a chaotic and lively space. Choose a mix of board games, card games and party games so everyone has something they enjoy, from fast-paced competitiveness to silly icebreakers.
A game night often brings out a different side of people, helping flatmates get comfortable with each other and build natural friendships that go beyond small talk. These are also fun to have to play together on weekends or after a busy day to create a warm environment between all of you and build connection.
Autumn
As a season, Autumn offers cosiness before winter arrives. Making time for activities with your flatmates during this season doesn’t just fill your evenings but it builds connections and turns your accommodation into an actual home. Whether you’re baking cinnamon rolls or carving pumpkins, embrace the season and invite your flatmates along to make autumn the months of university life you look back on with the most warmth
