What I hate about TV networks is how they decide not to show any new episodes during the summer when I have all the time I want to lounge around and catch up on my favorite show. Instead, I have to wait until the fall. This means I have to wait until I’m swamped in biology homework before I can finally see the next new episode of my favorite show. Or see the first episode of a new series I’ve been anticipating for over six months. Luckily for you, and me, I’ve provided a small selection of upcoming fall shows to tide us over until the day they come back.

“The Big Bang Theory” [returns on Sept. 26, 8/7c on CBS] “…I’m not crazy, my mother had me tested!” With many wins and about a thousand award nominations under its belt, expectations are high for CBS’s hit comedy show. A quirky, lovable cast goes through ups and downs and follows the mishaps of physicist Sheldon Cooper and his room mate Leonard Hofstadter. The show has garnered world-wide popularity and includes fun catchphrases such as, “Bazinga!”, “Soft kitty,” and the quote above, “I’m not crazy, my mother had me tested!” As the show now enters its seventh season, fans can look forward to Sheldon, Penny, Leonard, Raj, and Howard and their crazy yet hysterical antics.

“Parks and Recreation” [returns on Sept. 26, 8/7c on NBC] All Leslie Knope wants is her town of Pawnee, Indiana to be perfect for its citizens. An award-winning show, “Parks & Rec” pulls together a small-town homey group of hilarious characters and unites them in funny, moving story lines. The series follows the story of city council-woman Leslie Knope and her misadventures as she attempts to create a better Pawnee.

“Family Guy” [returned on Sept. 1, 9/8c on FOX] This one’s a little late, but it’s a cartoon show for adults… ‘nuff said there. A typical American family, living in the small town of Quahog, right? Not quite. A talking, womanizing dog, a genius, talking toddler named Stewie, and the type of wacky dad that just brings everything together. “Family Guy” is a must-watch that reads like a sketch show and pushes the boundaries of ‘safe’ humor and censorship.

“How I Met Your Mother” [returns Sept. 23, 8/7c on CBS] It took eight seasons, about 184 episodes, and we finally know who the mother is. The girl under the yellow umbrella, the other contributor for the genes of Ted’s two kids, the girl Ted wishes he had met earlier. The last season is expected to answer many questions for us. Is Barney really ready for a commitment with Robin? How does Ted finally meet his wife? And what the heck will Marshall and Lilly do next?

“Survivor” [returns Sept. 18, 8/7c on CBS] “Outwit, outplay, outlast, and ultimately be crowned Sole Survivor.” Hosted by Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst, this returns on CBS and focuses on twenty castaways of all different backgrounds that all have the same goal. Win the title of Sole Survivor. This season of Survivor will feature “Blood vs. Water.” The teams will have returning players and their family members competing against each other. This year’s tribe names will be Galang and Tadhana, meaning respect and destiny in Filipino respectively, which is where this season was shot. Don’t miss this year’s Survivor, and find out if “blood is really thicker than water.”

“Sleepy Hollow” [premiers Sept. 26, 9/8c on FOX] Ichabod Crane ‘dies’ in the year 1790 during a mission for General George Washing and is resurrected in 2014. Unfortunately, so is the Headless Horseman, whose head Ichabod had chopped off back in the 1790’s. When the Horseman begins a nightly killing spree, Ichabod must partner with the new sheriff in town, a pretty woman named Abbie Mills. The concept seems slightly used, with “Once Upon a Time” using the same basic concept of taking a children’s fairy tale and bringing it to the present, with twists of romance and drama. However, I probably still will be watching it, if not for the content, then at least for the hunky main, Tom Mison.

“Ravenswood” [premiers Oct. 22, 9/8c on ABC] From the creators of “Pretty Little Liars” comes a new dramatic, sure-to-be heart-pounding new teen thriller titled “Ravenswood.” The show ties in with “Pretty Little Liars” with Tyler Blackburn reprising his role of Caleb Rivers – street-smart student and long-time, loyal boyfriend of PLL regular Hanna Marin. The show will star Nicole Gale Anderson (Hope Plotkin from “Mean Girls 2,” Macy Misa from “Jonas”) and promises all the heart-pounding action of “Pretty Little Liars.” If you’re a fan of “Pretty Little Liars,” be sure to catch the world premiere in October.

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [premieres Sept. 24, 8/7c on ABC] Diving into the world of the Avengers and into the life of Agent Phil Coulson, (who, might I interject, died in front of millions and drove everybody to tears in the Avengers movie. I mean, I cried… did you?) who is assembling a group of tip-top agents. The pilot will also feature a cameo by “How I Met Your Mother’s” Colbie Smoulders (Robin – Barney Stinsons’ fiancé, wing-woman, etc.) who knows, apparently, exactly how Agent Phil Coulson was resurrected. I look especially forward to this show, it being the first live-action super-hero series with a lot a buzz. Don’t miss the “Avengers” spin-off show, coming out in September!

So, there are a lot of shows. Some of them premiere on the same day as another, but it’s up to you to choose when to watch them. Since I have Time Warner Cable, I used to have no choice but to watch Parks and Recreation on Sept. 26. But now, they seemed to have fixed the issue up with CBS, so now I’ll have to deal with the agonizing decision of choosing between my two favorite shows, Parks and Recreation (NBC) or Big Bang Theory (CBS). First world problems, right?