It has finally arrived. The best season of them all: tailgate season. This is every college kid’s favorite time of the year. Just thinking about tailgating makes me all giddy like a kid on Christmas Eve. We all know that Purdue doesn’t have the best football team, but our tailgates are on point. Starting before the sun comes up, and going until the late hours of the night, tailgating at Purdue makes for some of our best college memories. Here is what you need to know in order to survive a Purdue tailgate. Boiler up and hammer down.

Get ready to hear that Boiler Special cruising through campus on game day mornings. You won’t even need to set an alarm clock.

It’s funny how when the fraternities pull wake on the sororities that they think we are actually still sleeping. Jokes on them, we’ve been up, did our hair, brushed our teeth, and are ready to start the tailgate long before you come wake us up.

The fanny pack is essential to tailgating. It holds all your valuables including your phone, money, a small snack, your ticket to the game, and chapstick. The best part is that you are completely hands free for all tailgating activities. Don’t leave home without it.

Purdue is not a southern school so we don’t need to dress up for our tailgates either. High-waisted shorts ladies. The girls in West Lafayette live in their high-waisted shorts during tailgate season.

Finding the right kind of shoes to tailgate in may seem like a tough decision. Don’t worry, I have made it for you. Converse high tops. First of all, they are super comfy and make physical activities easy. Second, they clean really easily. Tailgates can get messy, especially with our crazy Indiana weather. Just throw them in the washer and dryer and they look as good as new.

The Friday before a home football game is the Discount Den’s busiest time. The Den sells the cheapest Purdue shirts. Don’t be afraid to get crafty when cutting your shirt for the tailgate. Crop top, fringe, sleeveless, we’ve seen it all. Let your creative side come out when planning your tailgate outfit. Pinterest will be your best friend when deciding how to cut your shirt for the tailgate.

If you want to get real crazy, whip out the bucket hat. It will keep the sun out of your eyes, and you will just look cool. The bucket hat is coming back in full swing. Make it even cooler if you find a Purdue one.

Every tailgate season you are bound to go to an American-themed tailgate. So stock up on your red, white, and blue and show your pride. An American tailgate is the only acceptable time to wear red lipstick to a tailgate, so take full advantage.

My favorite part of the tailgate is the post-tailgate nap. After waking up way before the sun rises and having fun and partying all day, you are very exhausted. Coming home and crashing for hours is the best way to recover from an epic morning.

Let’s make this tailgate season one of the best. Even if we don’t win on the field, we will in at the tailgate. BTFU!