Fall, the most awkward transition season of the year. Going from blazing hot summer weeks to random bipolar weather days. Although the last day of summer is technically September 22nd, it never really feels as such. School has already started, students are already stressed, football is in full swing; it is no longer summer. But how are we sure that fall has "officially started?" How do we know? Here's how...

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back

That's right folks, the annual return of the delicious and jaw-dropping Pumpkin Spice Latte has arrived. If you walk up and down the street, you will see multiple people carrying around a large cup. If you were to ask them what exactly was in that ginormous drink, they will most likely give you the abbreviation PSL or use the quote "heaven on earth."

2. Halloween stores are open

October 1st, aka the start of Halloween. The vacant department stores transform into costume central. Little kids run around trying to find out which princess/superhero to be while teenagers do their best to find the skimpiest outfit possible. Halloween is its own season, and it's the second greatest season of all (besides Christmas of course).

3. Football season is in full swing

Ahh football, the grand game of the land. Friday and Saturday night lights, compact stands, student sections and raging fans. You know it's fall when football is on multiple channels on your TV and takes up multiple hours of your week because you partake in the event. No matter the school, football is a must, football... is the priority.

4. You dress for both summer and winter in one day

When fall hits, your clothing style becomes completely bipolar. The morning is too cold for Nike tempos and jandals, but the afternoon is far too hot for the scarf and layers of sweaters you have on.

5. Flannels... flannels everywhere

Men, women, children, pets, everyone wears flannels. All sorts of colors, all sorts of styles. They're literally everywhere. There's no escaping them.

6. Leggings are acceptable as bottoms

Girls, we know that by the time fall comes around, we don't want to wear jeans, and we're tired of wearing shorts. We don't want to shave our legs... so what do we do? We wear leggings.

7. Pumpkins

Fall appears, and it's time to welcome the great ole pumpkins. The orange gooey filled objects symbolize fall and Halloween. They give kids of all ages the opportunity to make a complete mess on their kitchen tables as well as take part in the tradition of displaying the pumpkins on your front porch and sticking a light in them for all to see in the dark of the night.

8. ABC Family's "13 Nights of Halloween"

ABC's tradition of replaying our generation's most popular Halloween movies has been an all time favorite series of events. The grand list of films playing is released at the beginning of the season and gives Halloween fans of all ages time to prepare for all-day marathons of everyone's favorite movies.

9. One leaf changes color

It's that time of the year folks. You notice that one leaf on one tree has changed from a pearly green shade to an auburn red and you are filled with excitement.

10. Thanksgiving

Time to put on those Thanksgiving pants ladies and gents. The beginning of fall starts the diet to prepare yourself for all of the food you will scarf down your throat for Thanksgiving. Oh how I love all of the comfort food we eat during the fall. Hibernation soon awaits.

11. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back

I know this was already stated, but I'm stating it again for its significance.

These are the most popular signs for the starting point of fall. Start searching for that Halloween costume, start dieting for Thanksgiving day and go stand in line for that Pumpkin Spice Latte. Fall has officially begun.