It’s late August, the heat index reaches above 100 degrees on a daily basis, and there’s enough humidity in the air to practically drink it. 

Yep, we’re back at Tulane for another round of classes and partying in New Orleans. Here are a few things to expect your first week or two back.

1. Freshmen. This is totally obvious, but there will be freshmen. Everywhere. In your classes, at Bruff, and in your booth at the Boot at happy hour because they came so early. If you were brave enough to venture out the weekend before school started, you saw herds of these youths up and down Broadway in search of a frat party, before making it out to the bars, or quite possibly, passing out in some rando’s driveway. 

2. First week of class outfits. It is the beginning of school, and many of us have not outgrown the excitement of carefully picking out your first day of class outfit, and taking the time to get ready and look nice. So you’ll see some well-dressed, fashionable students for a few weeks, but the transition into sneakers, Norts, oversize frockets and Greek shirts will be imminent and swift.

3. Long lines at the book store. Unless you pre-ordered books, I would not enter the bookstore until after the first month of classes. However, if you do go in the first week, you will see lines, from the register to the stairs, of people waiting to buy textbooks. Come back the second week and you will see those same people returning the same books because they either discovered the wonder of ordering cheaper books from Amazon.com, or because they dropped their class after realizing you actually had to do work in it. 

4. ID problems and solutions. One of the highlights of my going out is seeing underage people arguing with Palms or Boot bouncers over the legitimacy of their fake ID’s. If you are blessed and above the age of 21, smile at the plebeians and accept the wristband from the bouncer. 

5. PDA. It is inevitable. You will see hookups everywhere. Against the wall at the Palms, in the middle of the dance floor at the Boot, on the grass of the LBC quad. So power through being pushed by some couple grinding up on each other with their tongues down each other’s throats. Eventually, they’ll realize they’re being sloppy and at least wait until their back in their own bedrooms. Possibly. 

6. Football fever and school spirit. With Yulman Stadium finally finished, and ready for the first home game on Sept. 6 against Georgia Tech, athletic spirit has never been so high. With a new stadium, revamped team and influx of spirited freshmen, Tulane shirts and green and white apparel will be prominent on campus. 

7. Hugging and shrieking. I am guilty of this one. You will see friends running across McAlister, or the LBC quad, to scream and tackle their other friends in love after not seeing them for a whole summer. Nothing is better than seeing your best friend in the flesh after months of texting and calling. Nothing is better than coming back to Tulane to tear it up with you best friends for another year.