With the end of your college career approaching, it is important to realize that you only have five more months to accomplish everything you wish to do at your university. Whether you entered college right out of high school or waited. When you look back, the years you spent in college will have most likely flown by. Before you know it, it will be graduation time! My wish for you is that you do not look back and wish you would have done more your last semester. With that being said, keep these ten things in mind to do during your last semester of college.
1. Edit and complete your resume and cover letter.
Once you have done this, you can start applying for jobs. Many places will require a cover letter with your resume. I encourage you to attend the free workshops your school puts on to help you with editing your resume, LinkedIn account and networking skills. Take advantage of your last five months with the adults who specialize in these areas and are there to help you research and find jobs after graduation.
2. Thank your parents.
After all, you couldn't have done any of this without them, whether they helped you pay for your school bills, gave you support the whole way through, or you lived under their roof your whole college career or part of it. When you're in your last semester of college, it's easy to want to spend all your time with your friends. But do not forget about your parents, as they are aging and wish to spend time with you, especially if they know you may move out soon, if you haven't already. Your parents are more than likely your rock and when you flip over your tassel at graduation, no one will be more proud of you than them.
3. Go to the gym.
Whether you like working out or it's not your thing, this is your last semester to take advantage of the free gym membership. Get in that look-good, feel-good mode to help you look and feel the best during your last semester. When you're feeling your best, you're more likely to get good grades and be motivated. Plus, who doesn't want to have toned arms in graduation photos?!
4. Get involved in school activities.
Whether you joined clubs during your college years or not, there are only five more months to get the most out of the experience you are paying for. Go to school dances (if your college throws them), athletic games, or get involved in any way you can to support your school. Not only will getting involved help you meet new people, it will also add to and build your resume. Deciding to participate has never harmed anyone in the long run.
5. Become the you that YOU want to be.
What better time than your last semester of college to be the best you that you've ever been? Forgive any grudges you've been holding. Make up for your mistakes and leave the negativity behind. Make the most of the time you still have left at this place. If you decide to move after college, leave behind only good memories of yourself. Stand up for yourself, but work on putting others first this semester. You can only be your best you if you're always being kind and positive.
6. Appreciate all the friends you have made over the course of your college years.
If you're like me, these were some of the worst and best years of your life. You can still make friends in this time frame, but also don't be sad if some friendships end after graduation. Life is transitioning and friends will go different directions. In the end, your college friends will be some of your best friends for life, so appreciate them while they are still around. These friends have helped you grow and shape you into the person you are today. As much as you learned in the classroom, the relationships you made with the familiar faces you saw almost every day probably taught you even more.
7. Do your best to have your highest GPA while maintaining perfect attendance.
Use your last semester of college to raise your accumulative GPA and learn as much as you can in your classes. As hard as it is to attend every single class at the end of the semester, it will be worth it in the end. Your professors want you to succeed as much as you want yourself to.
8. Thank your professors and pick out references.
Throughout your college years, you will have more professors than you can count. It is usually when you get into your specialized courses where you find a professor that will be your favorite. Get to know your favorite professors and use them as a reference later on. Take advantage of what they have to offer you. Looking back, you will realize even the professor you liked the least taught you something that you wouldn't have known if you wouldn't have had their class. Your college professors may also know someone at a place you are going to apply. Work hard and leave a good impression.
9. Go on the spring break trip that you have talked about for years now with your friends.
In the real world, there is no spring break. Your last semester of college will be the last time to take advantage of break. Pack up your car or buy a plane ticket and just go! Have some fun during the end of the semester with the people who mean the most to you. After all the hard work you have put in over the years, you deserve it.
10. Decide what you wish to accomplish out of life, and never give up on your dreams.
Just like when you began college, you may not know what job or field to go into after graduation... and that is okay. Use all the lessons college taught you to follow your dreams and land your dream job. If you keep putting in the work, there is no way you won't see results.
Best of luck to all the individuals graduating this year. I'm proud of you, and I hope college was everything you wanted it to be and more.
