To be honest readers, I’m writing this post as one of my many tasks to procrastinate writing my thirty page research paper on how journalists impact the human rights movement. I’m usually not a procrastinator, but with the scary g-word looming in the near future, it has become a new way of life. Push everything off and pretend the days aren’t counting down to that day fateful day, right?
But as the semester- and my undergraduate career – end, I realize that I always end the semester the same way. I’ve developed a routine of what I do to properly end each semester and I just needed to share it with you.
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Write “thank you” notes to your professors
You wouldn’t have truly survived the semester without your professors – if you didn’t have them, there would be no classes to attend! Yes, they may have caused you late nights in the library and additional stress, but they took time out of their children’s soccer games to grade your papers and missed dinner with their family to meet with you. I always make sure to thank my professors for their time and effort. An act of kindness, like a hand written thank you card, goes along way! Be appreciative.
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Take some time to focus on yourself
High School Musical 2 and other movies left me with an unrealistic expectations of what the summer should be. For my undergrad years, they always were focused around going back to my summer job, interning, attempting to get back on a fitness routine, and cross as many books off my “to read” list as possible. This left me with little time to actually destress from the semester. That’s why I always make sure to take a night at school to put my phone away, focus on my affair with Netflix, and do an at home spa night. Nothing will ever compare to a proper massage, but a deep exfoliating drug store face mask, a glass of wine, and a good night’s sleep can come pretty close if you let it. You deserve some “you” time.
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Return/sell your textbooks
After the semester comes to a close, it is time to put myself on a budget because I am tight on cash. Those bar tabs, big/little hibachi dates, and twice-a-day Dunkin runs really seem to be unnecessary once you realize how much they take out of your bank account. You don’t want to have more money taken out due to fees and fines for not returning your books on time, so make sure you return them as soon as you are done with the final. Plus, you may even be able to make some extra money through your school bookstore, Amazon, or from my previous sponsor, CampusBookRentals.com.
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Get rid of anything you no longer need
This could be your notecards from your Gen Ed history final, the sweatshirt from the cute boy in your science class, or a just the Starbucks receipts and gum wrappers at the bottom of your backpack. The semester is officially over, so no need to be a packrat. Only having necessities will make life easier once you start to move out of your dorm room.
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Say your goodbyes
I used to feel like Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana when I would go home for summer break. My “fake” life at Quinnipiac with my “school friends” was not the same as my “home friends.” At college, you are used to having the same people constantly around you, within a mile or two of you at all times and all hours. It gets weird not seeing these familiar faces so often. It’s just like saying bye to your mom when she drops you off for the semester. Make sure you say goodbye to everyone you want to-once you are hours away at home, you won’t have the chance!
Do you always end your semester a certain way? Let me know!
