With the end of yet another semester fast approaching, there’s sure to be a growing number of tasks to check off your to-do list before the semester truly does end. From taking care of last-minute administrative details to finishing finals week off strong to completing a bucket list of fun things to do on your campus, there are so many things to do. To ensure you end this semester on a good note, read on for some helpful suggestions and tasks to check off your list.
1. Return your rental textbooks.
Most likely at the beginning of the semester, you rented some textbooks for your classes because renting is cheaper than buying. Now, it’s time to return those rentals before the deadline so you can avoid any late fees. Returning rentals is usually a fairly simple process. Whether you rented books from a textbook rental company or from your university’s bookstore, all you have to do is check their rental return policies and follow the instructions.
2. Study for finals.
What inevitably comes at the end of every semester is finals. While you may not want to make studying for final exams at the top of your list, it is undeniably a very important part of closing out the semester on a strong note. Set aside the appropriate amount of time in your schedule to really buckle down and study hard.
Even if you’re one of the lucky few who don’t have final exams or papers, it’s still always a good idea to finish strong. Take advantage of all the academic resources available at your university to do well in your classes. For instance, if you’re struggling in a certain class or subject, don’t hesitate to turn to peer tutors who work at your university. They are there to help you and have gone through the same or similar coursework as you are. You should also take advantage of the career center at your school to gain some advice and insight on your future career path. No matter what stage of college you’re in — whether you’re about to finish freshman year or are about to graduate and enter the real world — you can definitely benefit from a visit to the career center.
3. Pay a visit to your academic advisor.
In the same vein, it’s also a good idea to visit your academic advisor before the semester ends. After all, you want to make sure you have all your affairs in order before the next semester starts. Taking care of business includes making sure you’re on track to graduate, registering for classes you need for next semester, and possibly even asking for career advice (you know, in case you wanted extra guidance after going to the career center).
4. Clean up your room/start packing.
In addition to taking care of school-related things, it’s important to handle your living situation. If you live in a dorm on campus, you’ll have to start thinking about moving out soon — and that means packing up your things to be ready to leave by the end of the semester. While it may be difficult to start packing everything in your room, since you’ll still need a lot of essentials (bathroom things, clothes, shoes, etc.), you can definitely start putting away certain things in your room that you won’t need for the last few weeks. Maybe you still have some winter clothes that you never took home earlier in the semester, which you can easily pack away in bins, bags, or boxes (whatever you prefer). Another good tip is to get rid of things you no longer use, such as papers from old assignments, garbage, etc. — basically, anything lying around that no longer has a use or could definitely stand to be thrown out. If you put up any command hooks, posters, pictures, or anything of that sort during the semester, it’s also a good idea to take those down before the semester ends.
If you live in an apartment or house off campus and won’t be staying over the summer, you should also take steps to start cleaning up your place. Make sure you abide by all the rules laid out by your landlord and take all your belongings with you when you move out.
5. Spend time outside.
Usually, the end of the semester is accompanied by warmer weather, which means an excuse to stay outside more often. In the midst of all the studying and homework you have to do, take a break by spending more time outside in the nice weather. You may just find yourself feeling more relaxed and at peace with the semester coming to a close.
6. Make time to hang out with your friends.
What goes along with taking a break and relaxing is making time to hang out with friends. Chances are that at least some of your friends from college don’t live near you and may even be scattered across the country (or across the world!), so now is the time to take advantage of being near them and spend time hanging out.
7. Apply for summer jobs and/or internships.
As the summer approaches, applying for summer jobs and/or internships is definitely a good idea. Searching for something to do over the summer will get you ahead of the game so you can not only earn money but also start doing things to potentially jumpstart your future career.
As the end of the semester draws closer and closer, there are many things you can do to prepare for the end of another school year. Make sure you’re ready by staying organized and ahead of the game!
Source: https://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/274655/7-Things-To-Do-Before-the-End-of-the-Semester