You wake up hours before in hopes of being one of the first people to touch the dewy grass on Shea field. You can hear the beat of the drum from the marching band warming up. You can smell the burgers and hot dogs being cooked at the tailgates. The sidewalks are swarmed with people dressed head to toe in maroon and gold. It’s game time baby.

Football season is quickly approaching and as we all know at Boston College, game days are some of the best days. The whole school comes together to celebrate and cheer on the team with our favorite drunk alumni. Game days are always full of laughter, reminiscent stories, chugging and good food.

Here are 12 ways you know football season is around the corner:

1. You start stocking up on Boston College apparel.

The second you arrive at school, the bookstore is one of the first places you visit. They have restocked and made new apparel from the previous years, so you naturally have to go to buy some new clothes to sport on game day. While yes, we also go there to buy books at the beginning of the year (don’t worry mom and dad), you can always tell football season is coming when you arrive in the bookstore and all of the face tattoos and bandanas are gone.

2. Although you don't actually know the words to the fight song, the tune is stuck in your head.

“For Boston, for Boston, 
We sing our proud refrain! 
For Boston, for Boston….blah blah blah”. The tune is very catchy but let’s be honest, no one attended the event during welcome week freshman year where you learned the fight song. After the first couple of lines in the song, the rest seems to blend together as a bunch of off beat, off pitch moans from the crowd. Nevertheless, we all the know the tune, and everyday following the first game day that tune will run circles around your head.

3. You are constantly craving a “dad burger.”

My friends and I have coined the term “dad burger.” These are those big, juicy burgers you can find at any tailgating car on game day. They are always cooked to perfection and can fill the stomachs and hearts of anyone.

4. You start only drinking from red solo cups.

Come anywhere near Alumni stadium on game day and EVERYONE is drinking from a red cup. It is the game day/party cup of the nation.

5. Every time you pass Shea field you tear up a little.

As majestic as Shea field has been for us Boston College students, this year we will be unable to tailgate on it for free. Yes, this is very disappointing for everyone because I know that just like me, you all have made so many memories on this beloved field. Clearly this won’t prevent students from finding a new and better tailgating spot but I encourage you all to at every tailgate, pour some of your drink out for Shea field.

6. You almost look forward to waiting hours in line to go to the bathroom in the ever so inviting porta potties.

As inconvenient and disgusting as the porta potties are on game day, the lines always allow you to meet new and interesting friends. I for one can attest to the fact that I have met some of my close friends on line waiting to use the bathroom on game day. Even if you don’t come out of this experience with a friend, I guarantee you will at least have a time worthy conversation with someone.

7. Your Boston College email account is flooded with reminders about the upcoming games.

If you weren’t already aware by the gold pass app. and everyone talking about the games on campus, Boston College will be sure to remind you that game day is coming with copious amounts of emails.

8. You start practicing your cornhole toss.

Every good tailgate has cornhole. This exhilarating game is a great pastime before the football game starts so everyone start warming up and work on that perfect toss.

9. Girls Instagram pictures with their friends from last season starting a countdown.

If you didn’t already know football season was around the corner from the gold pass app., Boston College emails and everyone talking on campus, just open up Instagram. I assure you that one or more girls have posted a picture from a game day last year captioning the picture with a countdown to how many days until this years season.

10. You look forward to those conversations you’ll have with all the drunk alumni.

We have all been there. Standing with your friends on game day when you are approached by a semi/very intoxicated alumni. They chew your ear off about the good ole days when they were back at school. Don’t get me wrong, these conversations are awesome and normally end in an invitation to try one of those magnificent dad burgers I was telling you about.

11. You forget those football players are even in your class.

You know that football player that sits next to you in Lit. class? Yeah, he’s going stop coming to class. You’re going to forget he’s even in your class come football season.

12. You try and dig out that old super fan shirt you were given at orientation.

It’s almost game day and you have no idea where that stupid shirt is. You rip your drawers apart in hopes that you’ll spot out that burnt yellow color. You know you brought it to school but where is it?