The first day of fall, Sept. 22, 2025, greeted UW-Eau Claire students with warm weather in the 70s. Although many enjoy the extended summer weather, others, like myself, find it hard to get into the fall spirit with the heat still present. 

Now that temperatures have dropped into the 50s and 60s, the true feelings of fall nostalgia can officially begin to appear.

The nostalgia surrounding fall regards certain familiar scents, feelings, sights, sounds and flavors. Let’s dive deeper into the nostalgic five senses of fall. 

Sight

A main characteristic of fall is the colors of the leaves. The summer green rapidly turns to reds, oranges and browns. Throughout my childhood, I always noticed the fallen leaves while standing at my corner bus stop. The changing leaves would reflect on the lakes we drove by on my route. 

Usually, by the time the leaves changed, I was finally settled in and comfortable with the start of a new school year. For me, leaves signify the changing of the seasons as well as a time for new beginnings. 

Besides the outdoor features that represent fall, my nostalgia extends to digital realms as well. Watching movies like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Halloweentown” instantly transports me back to fall when I was a child. 

Smell

I have very specific memories of the way my house smelled in the fall. My mom always bought the cinnamon brooms from Trader Joe’s and hung them somewhere in the house. Each room smelled cozy and like fall. 

Autumn is the time for pumpkin-themed coffee drinks. I remember going into coffee shops and smelling the espresso and coffee in the air. When I was younger, I would try my mom’s pumpkin spice latte and try to convince myself I liked it. 

Taste

Speaking of pumpkin, fall is one of my favorite times to bake. Pumpkin bars are my family’s favorite. Something about the spices with the cream cheese frosting never fails to make me feel at home.

Another fall staple is candy corn with peanuts. Candy corn is somewhat controversial. It has lots of haters, but the sweet and salty combo of a handful of candy corn mixed with peanuts hits the spot. After school, I’d dig through the pantry to find the Tupperware mix.

Caramel apples are also a fall must-have. As a child, I only ate the caramel and not the actual apple. This messy treat, a combination of sour and sweet, is amazing when walking around an apple orchard.

Tactile

Besides the stickiness of a caramel apple, there are a few specific feelings that signify fall. One of them is the crisp, cool breeze felt on my face and cheeks. This wind is just chilly enough to notice but still manageable with the neutral temperature outside.

With the cooling weather, the feeling of a cozy sweater or a favorite sweatshirt creates a comfortable and warm environment. As someone who gets overheated easily, I thrive in the fall because I can safely wear a hoodie and not instantly start sweating. 

Sound

Making the perfect fall playlist is a must for me. Artists like The Smiths, Bon Iver and Faye Webster are always included in my personal fall playlists. The sound of my fall playlist transports me into a calm headspace where I can dive into fall.

If music isn’t your jam, walking outside in the fall can be calming and nostalgic in a different way. The sound of crisp leaves crunching beneath each step is a sound enjoyed by many. There is something special about walking on a street with colorful leaves spread beneath your feet.

Each person celebrates and enjoys the season of fall differently, but my five senses of fall are what create the feeling of nostalgia throughout this time of year. 

Kragerud can be reached at [email protected].