1. You will get emotionally attached.       

2. You will start comparing not only your own relationships but also other people’s relationships to Chuck and Blair. Chuck and Blair will always win. Don’t base your expectations for future relationships off of Chuck and Blair because not everyone has a trust fund the size of Chuck’s, nor the charm, nor the face, nor the style, nor the limo, nor the penthouse… I could keep going… * Do not view their lives (or relationships) as reality because it is far from it.     

3. You will get semi-disappointed that you are not a billionaire that can afford the adorable clothes, expansive houses and incredible parties featured in this show.          

4. If you are dedicated, set aside an entire summer to binge watch all the episodes in all six seasons. Get started soon, you never know when Netflix will take it off. Hopefully never. If you have other obligations, go ahead and realize that "Gossip Girl" is going to become top priority for a while. If you are someone of the rare breed that is able to just watch it every so often, you may be in for a couple of years. Good luck.           

5. The episodes are an hour long each. You are going to say to yourself “just one more episode” because they’re actually addictive. Suddenly it’s 4 a.m. BUT something drastic has happened, what’s one more hour?   

6. Serena (Blake Lively) is flawless. She is perfect in every possible way and will never look bad, even if she is crying. DO NOT compare yourself to Serena; it’s a very dangerous place to be.           

7. Having watched "Gossip Girl," especially knowing that the setting was partially during their high school years, you will realize how dull your own life is. Their lives are so eventful and crazy and fun, but also stressful to be honest. SO. MUCH. DRAMA. I’m jealous of the opportunities they have as high school kids, while here I am watching my 15th episode in one day, not having gone outside once.        

8. Furthermore, after having these crazy lives- ALMOST ALL OF THEM GET INTO IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS. How?! Tell me their secret because I don’t think there was a single scene of studying/any form of work in general. (Not that filming this would be particularly interesting as a TV show). They also get into a fair amount of trouble, sometimes legally. How unrealistic.    

9. We would all love to have a friendship like Blair and Serena. In real life however, if you did half the things to your friend that these two do to each other then you would definitely not be best friends. In fact you would actually probably hate each other. Forever. The saying "forgive and forget" could not be more applicable for any other duo. Blair and Serena have so many falling-outs, but they'll excuse any wrongdoing after a few months (sorry for the spoiler, but for about every season... they'll hate each other and then everything will be fine again just wait)     

Basically what you can pull from all of this, do not compare yourself, your lives, or your relationships to "Gossip Girl" in any way. Also, prepare yourself for a time commitment. Most importantly, know that you are about to get yourself into the most interesting series on television. "Gossip Girl" is addicting, but we all love it, and you will too. The series is thrilling, heartbreaking, dramatic, and just plain brilliant. By all means, I encourage you to start watching as soon as possible, and if you’ve already seen it, watch again. 

XOXO,

Alison Hollis    

*Footnote-to my boyfriend: I think you’re just as awesome as Chuck.