When the leaves start to fall and as the days grow colder, we halfheartedly say goodbye to sweet, sweet summer. Come October, Ithaca becomes Hell (if Hell were a frozen version of Hell...you get it). Fall is inarguably labeled the best season by the majority of this great nation, and the people of this great nation are all right because fall is the best season. The end of October gives us Fashion Week, sweater weather, Yeezy season, and the one night you can have the choice of wearing lingerie or putting a bag over your head: Halloween!

Yes, the choice to be a hyper-sexualized Ninja Turtle or say, “F*ck it, I’m wearing that Batman onesie I got a Walmart” is yours, ladies. There comes a moment about three days before Halloween that you realize you need to come up with a perfect costume. Since stress comes along with doing anything mildly important, picking a costume can be pretty emotional. These are some of the emotions I frequently experience during the weeks leading up to the spooky holiday.

1. Feelings of joy and excitement sweep your inspired mind.

Right after Halloween last year you had so many good ideas, so why can’t you remember any for this year?! Time to hop on Pinterest and make nonrealistic costume goals that don't involve animals or superheroes.

2. Procrastination.

You have two exams and an essay due before you even start thinking about October 31 festivities. The absolute last thing you need right now is to think of a cute, creative Halloween costume and actually put it together. Maybe if you watch some Netflix maybe you’ll get some inspiration.

3. The last-minute trip to Party City.

Cat ears, gone. Should have came two weeks ago to snag the bunny ears, you think as you wander the baron aisles of Party City, obviously raided first by local teens and overachieving parents at Halloween parties. Now that you waited too long all the good costumes are gone. What’s a holiday without some old fashioned settling anyway?

4. Finally deciding on a costume.

Whether you donned Princess Leia's classic buns or decided cat ears were creative enough for you, you finally decided and now you can stop worrying...until tomorrow night when you actually have to wear it.

5. Deciding on the move.

You’re feeling good in your last-minute costume. Way to go, man - two years in a row you stay slaying at Halloween. But now it’s time for one of the most hyped up nights of the fall semester, and you don’t want to make a mistake of spending a potentially great night at a beat party.

6. Judging the Taking in the costumes of your peers.

Wow, those two actually pulled off the dancing emoji costume. That’s way more creative than my cat costume. But, no sweat. Your ideas and creativity show too, even when you don’t think so. It’s easy to compare yourself especially on Halloween where the bar is unfortunately set very high for sexualized women within our society.

7. Pictures. So. Many. Pictures.

I mean what’s the point of dressing up if you can’t validate your nightly experience by how many likes you get on your Halloween Instagram?

8. Reward yourself for doin' you.

Whether you threw a sheet over your head and called yourself a ghost or spent $150 on your homemade Margot Tenenbaum costume, chances are you killed it. Time to do the monster mash, girlfriend.