Reading week is coming fast but will likely end faster than you may think. If you are lucky and your teachers have generously decided to not give you any homework, it means that you should have some free time to enjoy the last of the benevolent fall weather.
Now, nothing is stopping you from lounging on your couch and binging series for the whole week. However, here are some fun fall activities that you can do during reading week so as to not rot in boredom within the comfort of your house.
Comiccon of Quebec
If you like comics, anime, video games, movies, series, or books, Comiccon might be for you! The event takes place every year, around the second or week of October, and welcomes cosplayers, geeks, artists, voice actors and so much more within its doors. This year, Comiccon takes place at the Centre des Congrès from October 9th to October 11th.
This event is for anyone; you don’t even have to wear a costume! You could meet your favorite voice actor, learn more about comics, movies, or the art of cosplay by attending panels, or simply buy some cute art from your favorite movie. On Saturday, there is even a masquerade where some of the most talented cosplayers parade in front of judges to win a prize. If you are attending for the first time, be prepared for a busy crowd and read the guidelines for costumes on the Comiccon of Quebec’s website.
Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking
It might be getting late in the season to go to a pumpkin patch or apple picking, but nothing stops you to simply go to one of the fields or orchards and bask in the fall ambience. If you go early enough during reading week, you might have a good chance to still be able to pick up some products.
You could also take this time to go do a fall photoshoot in the fields with your friends, or buy some pumpkins and do some early halloween pumpkin carving or even make some soup. If you can’t pick the apples yourself, you could still buy a bag of those fresh goods and bake (or cook) something with them, such as apple-cinnamon muffins or apple butter.
Near Quebec City, you can go to the Ferme Bédard et Blouin, the Ferme Genest, or the Ferme Roberge et Gosselin for pumpkin and squash picking. For apple picking, there are too many options to list them here, but those at the Île d’Orléans are well known for their good apples and local products. Hurry before it is too late!
Set the Mood for Halloween
It’s finally October, meaning that Halloween is less than a month away! Reading week is the perfect occasion for you to set the mood for the 31st.
For one, you can decorate your house and prepare your Halloween costume. You can also head to a field, a park, or a forest to do a spooky photoshoot with pumpkin heads or white sheets with your friends.
Another great option if you want to leave your house is to head to the center of Quebec city and partake in a ghost tour. There are two companies in town that offer guided tours where you will hear stories about murder, ghosts, and executions. You could even get there earlier to simply walk around and bask in the fall spirit that the decorations have brought.
Movie Night with your Friends
It’s great and all to do activities outside of your house, but you should also take the time to relax and reset your brain after the stressful midterms. Reading week is also the perfect time to catch up with your friends outside of school.
What better way to mix up friends, fun, and relaxation than having a movie night! Cue up the feel good or the slasher movies, stack up on snacks, and have a movie marathon with your friends. Let go of the stress of midterms and enjoy your time while you are on break.
Creative Activity
If you’re not really feeling the planning activities with others, you can still do something other than scrolling on your phone. Reading week is great to let the creative flow hit you.
If you want to stay inside, you can do some journaling or scrapbooking. You can also paint or draw, read or write; the world is your oyster! The great part of creating something is the process. It stimulates your brain differently than at school.
If you want to get out of your house, you can go do the previously mentioned activities outside, but you could also go to a pottery painting activity like ceramic cafe, go to your local library, or more.
While the premise of this set of activities is to do them by yourself, nothing stops you from still doing them with your friends. For example, you could do the painting swap challenge, a joint scrapbook, or book club.
All in all, reading week is a great time to reset your brain, relax, and have fun with or without your friends. Bonus points if you cozy up for fall and set up for Halloween. Have a great reading week!
Writer: Mia Bouchard; Editor: James Beaupré; Picture: @itshonee and @_germainemarie
