Halloween is a holiday enjoyed by many across the country and around the world, from kids dressing up to get-togethers and parties.
For many, Halloween comes with family traditions. But how are those traditions kept alive while away at college?
Students said traditions are important because it is a way to connect with family and friends. It is especially important in college when students are introduced to a new environment and new people, as it provides a sense of familiarity and stability.
Gracie Messier, a BYU Hawaii alumnus and BYU Law School student, has a few traditions that she does during Halloween time. She feels it is important to keep up with traditions to feel closer to her family and friends, even when they are away.
“Halloween traditions are important to me because they help me feel connected to my family even when we’re not together, and they involve things I’ve come to really enjoy,” Messier said.
For Mara Smith, a BYU student, traditions are important because they are a way to connect with friends and family.
“Some of my favorite Halloween traditions are watching the movie 'Hocus Pocus,' eating candy corn, carving pumpkins, walking neighborhoods to find the best decorations and going to a pumpkin patch. I wouldn’t enjoy any of those activities if I were just by myself,” Smith said.
Students' traditions range from watching movies with friends and family to going to a pumpkin patch with loved ones.
Messier has the tradition of going to the pumpkin patch. This tradition started when she was around 12 years old. She also bakes pumpkin cookies to give out.
“I've been going to the pumpkin patches since I was 12 and making cookies every year for as long as I can remember. I try to keep with traditions while away from home, but I’m not always able to," Messier said.
In Hawaii, pumpkin patches are scarce on the whole island, so it was harder for her to get to one.
“But if I can, usually that means going to a pumpkin patch with friends and making a big batch of pumpkin cookies to give out to people.”
Some traditions are with childhood friends. Summer Brown, a food science major at BYU, had to adjust her tradition with her friend now that they live in different states.
“My friend and I make haunted gingerbread houses. I try to keep up with that one for the most part. We did it over FaceTime this year because I wasn’t in town, but if I happen to be in town, we'll try to do it while I'm there,” Brown said.
Traditions bring a sense of home to a student's busy life, whether it be a family tradition or a new college tradition with friends.