October is a month of balancing spooky festivities with deadlines and assignments that are just as terrifying. Costumes are planned and pumpkins are ready to be carved while midterms are creeping around the corner. With so much to do and look forward to, preparing for the busy season is key to success. 

Some students take a last-minute approach, cramming as much as they can before diving into Halloween festivities. “I unfortunately do everything on a whim and cram all of my homework and studying at the last minute,” admitted one student. 

Others prefer to plan ahead by making time and staying organized. “Timing is probably the best way to balance everything. Making a schedule of when you should study while having time to have fun. Studying in groups can make less time for studying and more for Halloween activities,” said Emily Ratmansky.

Some even stick to completing tasks as early as they can to reserve the weekend for relaxation and fun. “I make sure that everything that needs to get done is done before the weekend, so I have those two days to not think about anything,” said Kaylee Quilici. Similarly, her friend Felicity Card tries not to get spooked by the deadlines. “Staying ahead in your classes is the best way for me, so I’m not worried about deadlines and I can focus on having a good weekend.”

Across these strategies, one thing is clear: balance is key. Whether it’s study groups, planning your schedule, or even cramming, students are finding ways to make room for fun. 

Halloween doesn’t have to affect your grades. With some planning and flexibility, you can still celebrate the spooky season by dressing up in fun costumes, eating candy, and carving pumpkins while staying on top of your work.