As the summer comes to a close and fall approaches, some people groan in misery at the harbinger of cold weather and the start of the school year. Others, myself included, couldn't be more ready for autumn to arrive. It's difficult, however, to enjoy the perks of the new season without being singled out for an affliction of "basic betch syndrome"; here's how to avoid the glares and eye rolls as you "insta" your way across campus.

The so-called basic betch has amassed a slew of criticism over the recent years on social media. Characterized as bland and unoriginal, the basic betch tends to gravitate towards interests of a middle school girl, such as Beyoncé, selfies, Pinterest, and yoga pants. If you're reading this and realize that you like all of the things I just listed, don't sweat it just yet. Everyone likes some of these things - that's the whole point of the basic betch: she likes things that are ubiquitously popular. What sets a basic betch apart from real people on Earth is that the basic betch lets those interests, and nothing else of substance, define her entirely. Now, I know, or am holding out hope, that all of you lovelies are much more complex, but because our interests may intersect with those of someone who's simply "basic," I've compiled a few pieces of advice so you can enjoy fall in peace.

1. Get Creative With Your Outfits

"Get creative" is my passive-aggressive positive twist to the typical "don't wear Uggs, a North Face, and leggings" criticism that pervades discussions about people who are considered "basic." I change the tone of this piece of advice because I sympathize, and on the days when I'm running late or pulled an all-nighter, or during finals week, I am sporting my Uggs and Lululemons with the likes of everyone else cramming at Starbucks. As long as you don't wear this, you're fine. What I mean when I say "get creative" is that fall has such potential for great fashion, and it is a waste to wear the same uniform on a daily basis. The cooler weather allows for layering, but still showing off your style before you have to wrap yourself in a massive parka until springtime and all the September issues open the potential to experiment with new trends. If Fashion Week has taught us anything, it's that knits, slip-on sneakers, and oversized clothing are in, so no excuses that fashion can't be comfortable.

2. Stick to One Foliage Instagram A Week

We get it: leaves change color. Unless you've never seen a tree with red and yellow leaves in your life, you've probably witnessed this phenomenon multiple times, like, maybe even annually? If you really feel like you need to capture the moment, you always have the option of taking the picture and then not posting it on social media. I'm not saying never Instagram a picture of foliage, just that it gets mildly irritating to have to scroll past 20 Kelvin-filtered pictures of trees on my feed. Oh, and while you're at it, maybe hashtag less too? #justasuggestion #takethehint

3. Limit Yourself to Mentioning Pumpkin Spice Products to Once A Day

Though I've never been on board with the whole pumpkin spice craze and prefer my coffee black, like my soul, I would never suggest giving up eating/drinking something you love just because others might judge you for it. However, now that businesses have latched onto this trendy flavor and are churning out pumpkin spice Milano cookies, Oreos, and pudding, no one needs to hear about every single form in which you've consumed it. 

4. Embrace Your Natural Skin Tone

Your summer glow may have started to fade, but that does not mean it's time to head over to your nearest Sun Tan City to bake for 15 minutes everyday. More often then not girls come out of tanning booths looking like a crossbreed between a roasted ham and this lady. I mean, do whatever you want, but there are so many better things to be doing on a Sunday afternoon than paying money to toast yourself in a carcinogenic death machine. If you feel like you MUST be a couple shades more orange than everyone else in Huntsman, try spray-tanning at your own risk instead. You might end up like Ross Geller from that one episode of Friends, but hey, it's your body. If it were up to me though, I'd tell you to just embrace the paleness of fall; it's chic this season anyways.

5. Wear Glasses If You Need Them, Don't If You Don't

Fall means that back-to-school trends are in full swing again, and what's cooler than thick-rimmed glasses to remind people that you're both intellectual and hip, right? I can tell you what isn't: having people discover that there aren't any lenses in your Warby Parkers - because that sounds horrifying. Spare yourself from this embarrassment; rock what you have (which in this case, by the way, is sight impairment), but don't force it if you don't.

6. Do Your Own Thing, Forget What Others Think

At the end of the day, just be confident in who you are and what you like without shoving it in other people's faces. If you really like something, own it, regardless of what others might think and say. Full disclosure, I still think that if the only books you read are by Jodi Picoult, you shorten the word "nauseated" to "NA-NA," or if you put quotes that you think Marilyn Monroe said (but actually never did) as a caption on your selfie - all hope is lost and you're better off getting a tattoo of your astrological sign on your ankle than reading this article in the first place.