Ah yes, its the most wonderful time of the year: school is back in session, the weather is cooling off a little bit, and oh yeah, it's football season once again! This means lots of tailgates, cheers, "hydration," hoarse voices after the games, and days lost to the aforementioned activities. While I wouldn't trade anything to watch the Irish take on *insert school here*, I definitely don't enjoy the stress that follows of having to catch up on all my work while feeling sluggish from all the fun and totally safe activities I did the day before. It has taken me two years to finally figure out a slightly better way to do game weekends so that I don't drown in homework and studying on Sunday.

1. Work ahead all week.

I know it doesn't sound like fun to do all your homework Monday-Wednesday, but trust me, it will definitely pay off. Spend an extra hour or two a night in the library, and you won't have to worry about having hours and hours of work on Sunday.

2. Consider staying in.

While your idea of a fun Friday night may not involve being in bed by midnight, it will really help you come gameday. You don't want to start tailgating off already hungover and tired, so save the fun for Saturday and maybe have a movie night on Friday.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Even if you don't plan on drinking at tailgates, its hot outside (especially the first few games), and water isn't usually readily available, so try to have at least a bottle of water before you head out for the day, and do the same once you get back from the game.

4. Have a general plan for tailgating.

Game days make campus a black hole for cell phones, and it takes at least 10 minutes, if you're lucky, for a text to go through, so know who you're going to the game with and stick with them.

5. HAVE FUN!

We only get six home games per year, and we only get four years as a student, so take advantage of it! Go to the games, cheer on your team, and don't worry about next week's schedule while you're at the game.

*all gifs courtesy of giphy