As school and fall sports begin, so does one of the oldest, most beautiful, and revered practices. Dance. Along with that, you probably think of all the hairspray, makeup, and tutus involved. But, there are some things involved in this wonderful activity, that only those who are in dance will understand.

1. Technique day is dreaded. It will leave you sore for a week. And the smile the dance teacher gives you is kind of unnerving.

2. The moment you finally nail that move that has been making you want to tear your hair out.

3. And even better, when you perfect an entire routine.

Especially if it's in your worst style. Tap dancing is harder than it looks...

4. You wear close-toed shoes to spare the eyes of others, not for your own comfort.

Your feet have definitely seen better days.

5. You are forever in pain.

Either because you're sore, or because you went just a bit too hard at dance practice and hurt your knee, ankle, or a muscle you didn't even know you had. Sometimes the teacher just picks a really good song.

6. You go through dance shoes like tissue paper. It's a gosh darn miracle if your ballet shoes last a year.

7. That's probably because you dance as much as you can.

Everywhere. All of the time.

8. Sometimes the dance costumes you're teacher picks are absolutely gorgeous.

And sometimes, they're really really not. These are usually the ones that come with random ribbons you have no idea where to put.

9. There will be days where you absolutely cannot focus.

And neither can the rest of the class. Your teacher will be between killing you all and laughing with you.

10. It's really funny when the movies portray dance classes as super poised and serious.

You actually spend at least 50% of your time goofing off with your friends.

11. Backstage before a recital is absolute chaos.

The smell of hairspray is everywhere, every table is lined with curling irons, and the floor is covered in bobby pins and nude tights. But you love it.

12. Tights are another thing you replace often.

At this point, you're pretty sure tights come prepackaged with runs. There's no way you ruined them in only five minutes...right?

13. But, at least you're an absolute pro at putting at tights on.

It takes you no time at all, and you could probably even put them on in your sleep.

14. You only have two modes when watching someone else dance: super critical or super excited. There is no in between.

15. Even though dance comes with lots of struggles, and gives you lots of headaches, you love it, and wouldn't change it for the world.