The list: Autumn Academia Edition - all the dark academia vibes to help you pretend you're in school & embrace learning 📚🍂🕯️📝

Ideas for your Fall semester, cozy studying tips, plus dark academia recommendations and color palette.

Sep 15, 2025

🍁🍂Autumn is heeeerrreee! Autumn is here!🍂🍁 My absolute favorite time of year! It’s September and school is in session 📓✏️

But seriously, Fall brings with it the nostalgia of going back to school, buying new school supplies (my favorite part, tbh), and shifting into learning mode. If, like me, you’ve been out of school for a while but loved it and enjoy learning, this is for you!

I truly believe it’s important to be a lifelong learner, whether you’re enrolled in a school or not. I have so many different interests and am curious about so many things, that I hardly know where to start! And I seldom do start because of analysis paralysis.

So I thought, how fun it would be to pick a few subjects for “Fall semester,” make myself a curriculum, and lean into the gorgeous academia aesthetic.

I. Pretending You’re In School

Ideas For Your Fall Semester Syllabus

There’s free and paid online courses for probably anything you’d ever want to learn (drawing, cooking, soap-making, calligraphy, starting a business, French, etc.)
Bible study - pick a book of the Bible to do an in-depth study on or pick a theme to trace through the whole Bible.
Research topics you’re interested in.
Improve skills that pertain to your job.
Learn from YouTube videos or documentaries (take notes).
Find a podcast to listen to.
Ever wanted to learn a new language? Start now!
Start your “mind garden” or commonplace book, a collection of thoughts, notes, and quotes pertaining to whatever topics you’re interested in.

Cozy Studying - Setting the Mood

Light a candle when you sit down to study/research.
Grab your favorite drink (some autumnal suggestions below).
- use an autumnal mug to add that extra touch of Fall whimsy.
Have a classical music study playlist or listen to some instrumental jazz.
Let the crisp fall air in (adds to the ambiance and keeps you alert).
Get comfortable with a fuzzy blanket or a knit cardigan (preferably oversized).
You know that notebook that’s too pretty to write in? And that juicy pen that glides smoothly like butter across the page? Use them.

II. A Dark Academia Lifestyle

To Wear + Accessories

Corduroy pants
White button-up shirt
Plaid skirts
Knit cardigans
Oxfords
Mary Janes
Blazers
Leather purse
Tote bag

Color Palette

To Bake & Drink

Maple Cardamom chocolate chip cookies
Caramel pecan cinnamon rolls
Almond cardamom latte
Vietnamese iced coffee
Trader Joe’s Maple Espresso Tea
London Fog/plain earl grey
Assam tea with a splash of cream
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Things To Do

Send handwritten letters to friends/loved ones
Visit a new library or bookstore
Learn something new
Read/write some poetry
Find a new coffee shop to study or journal at
Press flowers and leaves into your books/journals
Have a candlelit dinner (preferably a hearty soup & crusty bread)
Start a gratitude journal, or any kind of journal
Read a Classic, e.g. Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Oliver Twist, Anne of Green Gables (stay tuned for a post I’m working on all about books & reading lists!)
Try a new slow hobby, e.g. crocheting, punch needling, puzzling, baking, painting, reading

To Watch

For dark academia vibes AND autumn scenery:

Gilmore Girls
Dead Poets Society
Mona Lisa Smile
The Da Vinci Code
The Theory of Everything
The Imitation Game
Good Will Hunting

III. My Personal Curriculum This Fall

Subjects

Theology
- Courses:
  - Delighting in God
  - The Way of Wisdom
Art & Design
- Courses:
  - Designing and Printing Stationery
  - Layering Textures in Digital Art
Neuroscience
- Courses:
  - Principles of Neuroplasticity
Kinesiology
- Courses:
  - Walking 101 😂 (using prosthetic legs to walk again)

Leave a comment letting me know what you’re learning right now! Will you be trying any of the ideas or tips I mentioned? I’d love to know :) Happy studying! 📚🍂🕯️