One of the best parts about college is not being sent into a state of complete and utter depression at any and all reminders of going back to school. Those Target Back-To-School commercials actually get you hyped AF to go shopping for new dorm/apartment decor and even lame stuff like sticky notes and highlighters.

As Emory students, we're lucky enough to have the cultural hotspot of Atlanta right in our backyard, so we have much more to look forward to than just football games and tailgates.

1. REAL Coffee

We all know we're getting a new food provider (Good effing riddance, Sodexo), which not only means we'll finally get real food, but it entails gaining access to higher quality caffeine buzzes. Kaldi’s Coffee is replacing Dunkin in the DUC, so you can finally start your mornings after all-nighters with real coffee instead of the coffee-flavored sugar water Dunkin is so well-known for. Of course, there’s still the Starbucks at the Emory Barnes & Noble, but it’s not ideal for when you don’t want to go all the way to the Village and/or you don’t want to stand in a 20-minute line. Not going to lie, I’m going to miss Dunkin bagels when I’m hungover, but Kaldi’s food menu is still infinitely better.

2. Fall Foliage

This is one of the reasons we’re consistently named one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The scenery makes early morning walks of shame to class much less painful and will guarantee you at least one quality Insta pic.

3. Celebrity Run-ins

Living in the Hollywood of the South means a high probability of spotting a celebrity while out in Atlanta. It could be Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth or Zac Efron at MJQ. It could be Usher or Snoop Dogg at Tongue & Groove. It could be Selena Gomez at STK or Kimye at South City Kitchen. If you’re wealthy enough/have wealthy enough friends to pay for VIP tables and bottle service, you can try to become BFFs with Ludacris at Gold Room like Scooter Braun and eventually drop out of school to become an executive at a record label and find America’s next biggest pop sensation on YouTube. But maybe you shouldn't count on that.

4. Music Midtown

Where else could you see Drake, Elton John and Hozier perform all in the same night? It hasn’t reached overly commercialized Coachella status and no tents or shuttles are required.

5. TomorrowWorld

If you’re more into hard drugs music with fewer than three words in it, there’s always TomorrowWorld, only a 30 minute drive from Atlanta. Just promise me you'll drink plenty of water.

6. The Emory Farmers Market

Walking to class with the aroma of kettle corn in the air and a Blue Donkey Iced Coffee in hand makes Tuesdays actually bearable. It also guarantees getting to catch up with at least three people you haven’t seen in forever. Just don’t be those people who stand RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the bridge when people are trying to rush to class.

7. The Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade

If you already enjoy hitting up Little Five Points for the quirky thrift shops, vintage record stores and the best burgers in Atlanta (The Vortex, obvi), you'll probably enjoy this annual festival. There's the perfect combination of adorable little kids in costumes and wasted, possibly homeless people having breakdance circles (Yes, I actually witnessed this).