It's that time of year again-- marching band season! Millions around the country will brave the blistering heat, crazy downpours and freezing cold fall days to play music and march in hopes of kicking some competition to the curb.

Or, at least to the average, unknowing observer that's what marching band looks like. Anyone who has ever participated in band knows that it is so much more than just prancing around a field playing music.

Though it has been almost three years since my last season of marching band (how has it been that long already?), I still feel it's impact in my life almost daily. I didn't fully appreciate its value at the time, but it really did teach me some things about the real world I wouldn't have been able to learn in high school otherwise.

So take a break from learning drill and memorizing music and practicing your routine until you drop (no, no, don't actually drop--that would be bad) and check out some things that all band kids know way too well:

1. One more time never means one more time.

Every marching band article ever written will probably say something along the same lines as this, but it is too true for me to care about originality. You hear "one more time" at least fifty times every rehearsal.

It becomes so apparent that it is almost never true that, at some point, you don't even actually register that someone has said it at all.

But hang in there-- there has to be a last time for everything! By the time you actually do something "one more time", you'll wish you could do it again. That's just how it works.

2. Competition food is to-die for.

Maybe it was just me, but I was always super pumped to get to competition and get a big pretzel with cheese and a cup of hot chocolate. There's just something about junk food after a long (and usually very cold) day of rehearsals and performances that really makes it all worthwhile!

3. Competitions are pretty cool, too.

Competing was always one of my favorite parts of marching band. Nothing compares to working so hard on something and finally getting to show it off (and maybe even crushing some competitors while you're at it).

It's pure Gatorade and big, salty pretzel fueled adrenaline on and off the field-- who could ask for more?

4. Waiting for scores is the worst.

As a former drum major, no one (except maybe the instructors) was quite as worried about how we would place as my co- drum majors and I were. Standing on the field in anticipation of placement in front of a crowd of people and your entire band is nerve-wracking, to say the least!

5. But getting that trophy is so worth it.

Ah yes, the coveted first place trophy. Personally, my band took years to get back to the top, so when we finally did manage to get first place it felt like the absolute best thing in the world to have actual proof that we had won.

The trophy got passed around on the bus ride home and bopped back and forth between peoples' houses and the school trophy case until the next prize was won.

6. The weird, unspoken rift between the guard and the band--what was up with that?

We can say that we all got along perfectly and it would be partially true-- but, as someone who experienced both the band and the guard side of the field, I know how awkward it can be.

Though no one says it outright, these two parts of the team have some kind of competition going on throughout the entire season. Who has it harder? Who has to learn more drill? Who gets to take the trophy home this weekend?

7. You low-key look up to your drum major.

Drum majors are the coolest, and I'm not just saying that because I was one. They manage to keep calm under pressure while leading an entire team-- how many people can actually do that?

Right after your instructors, they are some of the most respected people on the field, and for good reason!

8. The weather will never cooperate and you've learned to accept that fact.

This one goes without saying. You can be practicing in blistering heat all day, but when you get to competition it may be around 40 degrees.

You can never win with the weather.

9. You will meet some of the best people.

Despite the weird arguments and the competitiveness, marching band really will introduce you to people that can become lifelong friends. You will spend so much time together and have tons of emotional talks on the bus ride home and, before you know it, you'll have a new best friend.

Here comes the cheese-- marching band will truly change your life for the better. It teaches leadership, team building and good sportsmanship, among a whole bunch of other things.

If you've ever even thought about trying it, just do it! You won't regret it and, even if it isn't your thing, you'll still have a whole team supporting you when you venture into other fields. (Get it? Fields!)

I hope everyone has a safe and fun competition season!