It's the first week of November, which for a lot of people means Tech Week.

For non-performers, Tech Week happens the week you perform. In the days leading up to the show, actors start rehearsing in costume wearing microphones. Set pieces are moved on and off stage and lighting is done just as it would during the real show.

These will be the longest, most tiring rehearsals yet. Here are the signs that you're in the middle of Tech Week.

1) Staying at school until very late hours

midnight.

2) Ordering food

During regular rehearsals, an upperclassman probably told you, "Stop focusing on this! You're too busy getting people's orders that you're missing your cues!" During tech week, though, ordering food is totally justified, because it's not like you'll be going home at 5:00 to a home-cooked meal.

3) Schoolwork suffering

Whether you're trying to get through "The Great Gatsby" surrounded by your rambunctious castmates or deciphering your history textbook at home after a long night of rehearsal, there's no way you'll be at your best in class tomorrow.

4) Squeezing in "me" time

During tech week, half-concentrating on your soon-to-be favorite novel (so you don't miss any cues) or watching Youtube before bed is all the time you can get to yourself during a day jam-packed with interaction.

5) Getting to rehearsal right after classes end

This is good because sometimes, with the director's permission, you might get to leave class early to do hair and makeup and get your mic on before dress rehearsal starts.

6) The director giving notes at the end while everyone is practically dead

At this point, we don't care. We just want to get home and sleep. Hearing, "I'll just give notes at the beginning of rehearsal tomorrow" emits enormous sighs of relief from everyone.

7) Rehearsing in costumes for the first time

And you have to remember to take them off or wear something over it while you eat a food that can stain, or the costumer will kill you.

8) Your eyes adjusting to the darkness because of the amount of time you spend backstage

You basically become part bat.

9) Stress

Stress is a common feature of tech week, and it's not unusual that there's a lot more yelling now than there was previously.

10) Bonding

This is the time that really turns your cast and crew into a family.

Lastly, if any mistakes are made, don't worry. There's a popular saying: "A bad dress rehearsal often means a good show." Break a leg!