Although September 23rd marks the official start of Fall, it seems as though the month of October is really when things kick into full gear. As Autumn starts to approach, here are some things, good and bad, that make the month of October special.

1. Halloween. Or as people here in Pullman like to call it, Halloweek. Yes, a week full of parties, candy and costumes. This is basically every college student’s favorite holiday, as it requires little to no planning, money or effort. When in doubt, you can always go as a cat.  

2. Midterms. Perhaps one so not great thing about October is the fact that you are getting closer and closer to the middle of semester, and that can only mean one thing - Midterms. All of that information you’ve spent the last eight weeks of your life learning is now being put to the test, literally.   

3. Post Midterms. That sigh of relief after finishing a huge exam is a great feeling, but now there are eight more weeks of professors shoving information into your brain while you’re still trying to figure out what you’re going to do with your life after you graduate.  

4. Pumpkin Flavored Everything. With October comes a variety of pumpkin flavored everything. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and of course, pumpkin spice lattes. Since the PSL is only around for a short time each year, it instantly becomes a fan favorite with coffee drinkers, making your hopes of getting Starbucks on the way to class wishful thinking.  

5. Football. Nothing beats a Saturday night in Martin Stadium cheering on the Cougs. Even though the chilly fall temperatures make it sometimes unbearable to withstand, watching our team prevail in the end makes those four long quarters worthwhile.  

6. The Scenery. Have you ever stopped to look at the trees on your way to class? Have you ever watched the sun set on a Fall evening? We really do go to school in a beautiful place and sometimes we don’t notice it until this time of year. The sweltering summers make noticing the beauty around us nearly impossible, but with the sun setting earlier and earlier each day, we really get to see the beauty of the Palouse.  

7. The Weather. Fall weather in Pullman basically means unpredictability. Some days you’ll see sun and seventy plus degree temperatures, and others you will see snowflakes falling over the Palouse. Let’s just say owning a North Face jacket is a big must during the sometimes horrendous pre-winter storms. Whether you’ve been here for six months or six years, you’ll never get used to walking up all those hills in the snow. The number one thing to remember is to focus on where you walk; one wrong step and the next thing you know, you're sprawled out on the pavement. It’s happened to all of us, and it’s not fun.