The “ber” months are here -- let the excitement begin

It's that time of year again; days grow shorter, temperatures drop, and homework picks back up again. There are plenty of things to be unenthusiastic about in autumn, like the gloomy weather and inevitable end to the freedom of summer. However, this season comes with a few perks, courtesy of the “ber” months.

What are the “ber” months? As the unofficial name suggests, they are any month ending in “ber”: September, October, November, and December. That's thirty-three percent of the 12 months of the year! Luckily, these all occur during the same time period, so we can consider them one annual chunk of readjustment.

September is the first “ber” month, and the first full month of school. Sure, most of us might not be ready to be back, but this month helps us acclimate to new classes and brings back the excitement of fall sports season. Most importantly, the warmth of summer sticks around for a little while. September is simply a transition month into October’s whirlwind of change.

In October, the cold finally catches up with us. To make up for it, nature gives us clear skies for stargazing, and pumpkins get their month of popularity. The leaves start changing colors, and the stereotypical image of fall can be seen outside any window. For most, though, October isn’t about natural beauty, it’s just a waiting game until the last day of the month. Halloween takes planning, and many spend this month preparing for their night of costumed candy collecting.

In the first few weeks of November, the school year is well underway and daily responsibilities feel monotonous. By now, most people have to deal with wearing thick coats on the bus and carrying them around all day. It gets interesting right before Thanksgiving, though. Excitement for the holiday season (and the days off) builds until it can’t be contained, and after weeks of grueling assessments, Thanksgiving break finally arrives.

This leads directly into the final “ber” month: December. Although December is just as busy, if not busier, than the other months, it doesn’t feel that way. After Thanksgiving, everyone holds out until winter break. Santa hats appear in the hallways, and candy canes and Christmas songs seem to be everywhere. On average, people are in a better mood as a sense of holiday cheer permeates classrooms.

This can be a difficult time of year. Getting back into the flow of schoolwork and stress isn’t fun, but there are some silver linings just around the corner. When you remember how great Halloween was, or how much you’re looking forward to some time off, thank the “ber” months.