How To Prep For 'Once Upon A Time' Season 5

It's hard to believe it's already nearly the end of July — it seems like summer only just started and now it's nearly over. That's not a bad thing, because not only does it mean that autumn (the best season, hands down) is on the way, but it also means that Once Upon A Time Season 5 is, too, and it's going to be great. We know that we've got the glorious Dark Swan storyline coming our way, as well as a journey to Camelot, where we'll meet plenty of new faces — Merlin, King Arthur, and Merida among them. How any of us haven't spontaneously combusted with all the excitement is beyond me, but stay strong — September 27 isn't so far away!

The summer hiatus, when all of our favorite shows are off the air, can seem interminable, and Once is doubly cruel since it does this to us again come winter. However, I prefer to look at the break as a time for reflection on all that's come to pass in the previous episodes and also to speculate on what that means for future ones. Glass half full, and all that. If you're chomping at the bit for Season 5, I've got a few suggestions on how you can get ready (and simultaneously pass these last couple of months before it premieres).

Get Your Wardrobe In Order

Whatever your 'ship, hit up the accessories to match. Wrap yourself in this Swan Queen sweater to protect yourself from all the feels that are surely in store for the pair. Don't worry — there are plenty of options for Outlaw Queen and Captain Swan fans, too. Live your best life.

Bake Some Apple Tarts

Regina's specialty, naturally, and also pretty delicious. I don't know a single person who doesn't like the combination of pastry and apple, because HELLO, it's amazing. Get in the kitchen and start baking. Maybe leave out the poison, though.

Prepare To Fight For Emma's Life

Emma is gonna be DARK, at least for a little while. We'll see the Savior like we've never seen her before, and it's going to be hard. We've gotta stick together, though. She'll be okay in the end... and in the meantime, it's going to be so much fun watching her raise hell.

Make Sure Your Liquor Cabinet Is Stocked

There is gonna be some serious bull-you-know-what going down next season, so you'll need to make sure you're nice and liquored up to deal with it. And by "it", I mean "Zelena's pregnancy storyline", among other things.

Rewatch Some Season 4(B)... Or The Whole Series

The whole Frozen situation in 4A is worth forgetting, for the most part, so if you feel the need to go back and refresh your memory about everything that happened last season, I'd stick to the second half. Or, you can be like me and casually rewatch the whole series little by little. Seeing the Neverland arc again a few weeks ago had me feeling all kinds of things.

Try To Avoid Spoilers, If You Can

I mean, I'm not exactly practicing what I preach here because I live for all the set photos and spoilers that come down my Tumblr dashboard on the daily. But while I love seeing little moments (and there's been one in particular lately that's killed me), I am always afraid of coming across something TOO major that I might have liked discovering when it aired.

Images: ABC/tvmaniapromos/YouTube;sq-0313, womenofouat, red-streaks, the-pirate-and-the-saviour/Tumblr; Giphy