Despite what feels like an eternal heat wave, FALL IS FINALLY HERE. The 23rd of September officially marked the beginning of sweater weather and the end of all of my hopes and dreams. As much as I love being able to put on my favorite raggedy sweatshirt and snuggle up with a cup of hot liquid that'll inevitably spill, there are some other things about fall that I adore the most and aspire to do before the snow arrives.

1. Take a brisk walk through the fall foliage.

And wear your SPF 30 because you know it's still in the 80s in Ohio with the sun on at full blast. It's not nearly sweater weather, or even time to start drinking things that don't require ice cubes. The perspiration down my back while walking to and from class should be a good indicator that it's still too early to break out the sweaters and pea coats.

2. Take your first sip of the heavenly coffee and cream creation called the Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL for short).

And immediately throw it away. Fall is the prime time for pumpkin spice-flavored everything from the classic pumpkin pie, to the PSL, to the pumpkin spiced…condom? I think we've taken this too far, guys. I can appreciate the occasional pumpkin-flavored food, but I think pumpkin spice dog treats and Pringles are simply TOO MUCH. Let's take a few (hundred) steps back.

3. Visit your local pumpkin patch and run through the corn maze!

And immediately get lost in a field of dried corn stalks. What's the appeal here? I mean, I still cry when I get lost in a grocery store. Why would I want to put myself through the horrendous experience of getting lost in stalks of corn? There's no customer service desk where my mother can come claim her lost child. THERE'S JUST CORN.

4. Go to at least one Halloweekend at Cedar Point.

Because fall is synonymous with Halloween. Heck, the pumpkin-shaped Reese's have been out since late August, and Halloween candy is already on sale. Why not just make Halloween a three-month experience? One day in October is simply not enough.

5. Decorate for the fall!

With everything you can possibly find that's orange, red, brown, or black. Because that's a nice color palette, said no one ever. The colors themselves just remind me of the smell of pumpkin spice candles and spiced apple cider. On top of it all, the colored leaves of fall should not only be outside, but inside in the form of wreaths, centerpieces, and garlands! The gourds that you typically eat every other time of the year can now be put on display on your dining room table to express that, INDEED it is fall, the season of zero gourd consumption.

6. Carve some pumpkins.

And leave them sitting outside for as long as humanly possible. Those things are invincible! The activity itself is not only fun and satisfying (for those of you with underlying anger management issues), but the results basically last forever. Why not have a little bit of fall flair on your porch every season of the year?

7. Enjoy the season while it lasts!

Because winter is inevitably around the corner. The snow can be just as beautiful as the leaves of fall, but the nice, temperate weather of fall just cannot be beat (especially by the numbing cold). Despite all the stereotypical fall activities, fall is my absolute favorite season. As much as I love the warm sun of summer and the glittery snow of winter, sweater weather and crunchy leaves are far superior.