Navigating Your Final Semester of College: A Comprehensive Guide
The last semester of college is a uniquely bittersweet time. Excitement for the future mixes with the anxiety of leaving the familiar college environment and stepping into an uncertain world. To make this transition smoother and set yourself up for success, it's crucial to proactively address key areas throughout your final semester. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this pivotal period and prepare for life after graduation.
Financial Focus: Setting the Stage for Post-Graduation Stability
The stereotype of the "broke college student" is a common one, but it doesn't have to define your post-graduation reality. Taking control of your finances during your final semester can provide a significant advantage.
Generating Income
Explore legitimate ways to make money in college during your final semester. Even a small income can make a big difference. This money can be set aside for essential post-graduation expenses, such as:
- A deposit on an apartment or house
- Contributions toward loan payments
- Relocation costs for a new city
Earning and managing your own money during this period also provides valuable practice for handling paychecks from your post-grad job.
Budget Re-evaluation
Now is the time to re-evaluate your budget and consider what it will be post-graduation. If you don’t already have a budgeting system in place, now’s the time to start! Creating a budget can be simple even if you’ve never done it before, especially when using one of the best free online budgeting tools. Even though you’re in your last semester of college and not yet in your career, you can get a plan ready for after graduation. Look at the average starting salary for whatever job you’re planning on applying for, then you can use that as a base for your budget re-evaluation.
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Job Application Strategies: Launching Your Career
College is, in large part, about preparing for a fulfilling career. Your last semester marks the beginning of that journey.
Timing is Key
While there's no single "right" time to start job hunting, beginning during your final semester is highly recommended. Starting the application process in March or April strikes a good balance, providing sufficient time without being too early for employers. However, you can begin looking and getting a sense of what jobs are out there as soon as the semester begins. This will help you get a sense of what jobs are available in different cities, and you can begin researching the cost of living in those locations to help you decide.
Research and Preparation
Researching jobs early on can give you insight into what employers are looking for.
Interview Skills
Whether they’re in-person, over the phone, or on Zoom, interviews can be nerve-wracking. It’s important to remember though, this is the first time your potential employer will be interacting with you, not the you that was presented on paper. So, making a good first impression is critical.
Remember, you’ll likely be referring back to your resume, so it’s important to avoid some common resume mistakes and know your professional experience well enough where you’re effectively able to speak to it. Finding the right combination between bragging and humbleness is key to standing out among the pack of applicants and interviewees. It’s also important for you to look the part of a professional. Even if the company you’re applying to is more on the casual side, when you’re interviewing you should wear business attire. This shows that you’re serious, capable of being professional, and offers a sign of respect to those interviewing you.
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Utilizing University Resources
UM hosts a variety of career fair each semester to ensure that you have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with your potential future employers. If your department does not offer any of these opportunities or it’s too late to add one to your schedule, ELCS can help with that. You can find a complete list of internships both remote and in-person, in Missoula or across the country on Handshake. Have these resources ready to go this semester so you can start applying for jobs right away. Plus, if you are having any trouble creating these essential materials ELCS is here to help.
Housing Considerations: Finding Your Post-College Nest
With only a few months left in your dorm or college apartment, securing post-graduation housing is a priority.
Options to Consider
- Moving Back Home: Asking to move back in with your parents or family. While this might be the last thing you want to do after having the independence of college, it’s also the most financially beneficial option. It’ll allow you to save up immediately after graduating while you gather the funds you need for other options.
- Finding a New Apartment: If you’re looking for an apartment in a new city, be sure to read reviews and ask about virtual tours so you can see it (even virtually) before signing a lease. If you plan to stay in the San Diego area after graduating, connect with friends who plan to do the same so you can look for apartments and houses for rent together. Doing so will help you cut down on your immediate post-college spending.
- Buying a House: If you want to and can afford to buy a home, you should first get a mortgage preapproval so you can stand out to sellers and exclusively look for houses in your price range.
Location, Location, Location
For either option, you’ll first need to decide where you want to live after graduation and start your career.
Taking Stock: Decluttering and Preparing for the Move
College life often leads to accumulating a significant amount of belongings. Your last semester is the perfect time to sort through everything.
The Sorting Process
Take time to go through all of this stuff throughout your last semester. Then you can put it into piles of things you’ll keep, give away, or, if necessary, throw away. For the things you’re giving a second life, look for easy ways to sell, donate, or recycle them. Some of it might bring back memories you forgot about, and it’s a good way to reminisce as you close out the college chapter of your life.
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Keep, Donate, or Discard
If you can use it, then keep it and bring it with you on your next journey.
Academic Strategies for a Strong Finish
Since the end of the semester is commonly an academically challenging period, I talked with an upperclassman, Ryan Palmisano, to get some advice for surviving the end of the semester and putting your best foot forward. He is a junior at MSJ, and because he has had several more years than me in college, I looked to him for some time-tested advice.
Organization and Planning
Having effective organization and planning ahead are both important skills that help anyone be successful in the classroom. This starts by checking the syllabi to understand when each exam is, what format it is going to be, and what content is covered on the assessment. It is important to realize that exam preparation begins long before the actual exam! Just taking notes in class and paying attention helps you to absorb the information as it is being taught. If possible, during lectures, download (or print) a copy of the presentation, which can save time by allowing you to focus on writing down the important information which may not be expressly written on the slides. Throughout the semester--and especially at the end when many projects and tests are looming--having your own system of keeping track of dates and deadlines is vital. Whether it be through a physical planner, a Google or Word Document, your phone’s calendar app--every student should find some way to keep track of deadlines. However you keep track of assignments, use that list every day to make a to-do list. Each day, determine your most important upcoming responsibilities and prioritize them. Ryan specifically describes using S.M.A.R.T. goals, setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. The best goals--the ones that you will be most motivated to complete--are small, breaking down larger tasks into more digestible steps.
Effective Study Habits
For every student, a different learning strategy will be most effective. It is important to find the system and habits that work for you and to keep with it. This means learning how you learn and understanding that if something isn’t working--a study strategy or schedule for example--some sort of change is necessary. As you set goals and work on various tasks, pacing is important--this means starting early but also taking breaks. Whether this looks like moving around between working on various subjects or socializing for a few minutes, taking breaks is very important; this helps prevent fatigue and burnout, and helps you do your best work! Associated with this is sleeping. Being well-rested before an exam is crucial--even if it replaces some late-night studying. All of this advice--from keeping track of deadlines and staying organized, to setting goals and priorities, to following productive study strategies--ultimately culminates in establishing effective study habits.
Seeking Help When Needed
If you’re struggling to keep up in classes or are unsure about how to study for a test, a tutor may be the answer. Tutors can help teach you the material and provide guidance on how to succeed in your classes. Online tutoring is a great way to finish the semester strong, especially if you’re struggling to stay focused on your own. It is a good way of getting extra help from an expert tutor in the field of your choice. Talk with your teachers about any concerns you may have with your coursework or other academic matters. It’s important to stay in touch with your instructors. Keep up to date on what they’re teaching, ask questions when you’re unsure, and show interest in the course content.
Managing Stress
Utilize your coping skills, which are your tools to deal with stressful situations. Examples are taking a walk, listening to music, art and crafts, playing video games, exercising, spending time with friends, etc. These activities should be restorative and give you more energy. Try to be proactive and have them built into your routine or plan, so the stress doesn’t build up. Treating yourself with compassion is so important, so that you feel more encouraged rather than discouraged. Motivate yourself and don’t beat yourself up if you get off track. Your body needs fuel! Taking care of yourself is key. Be sure to eat healthy and get good sleep. Your memory, focus and emotional regulation depend on it! Watch your intake of caffeine, alcohol and other drugs… they can make you more anxious and down. Try to stick to your food and sleep routine and stay as balanced as you can. Most college students are juggling a lot… jobs, leadership positions, relationships, family responsibilities. Everyone can reach you constantly on your cell phone, which is always in your hand or by your side. It may be helpful to put it away, turn off the ringer and/or let folks know that you need to focus and can’t be as available as usual. It is okay to prioritize your studying and not be everything to everybody all the time! Let your boss know that your finals are important and see if you can make up the time after finals period.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
It is essential to take care of yourself and not just your schoolwork. Get enough sleep and eat healthy food. Make time for relaxing activities like reading, meditating, or listening to music.
Savoring the College Experience
Don't let internships and resumes bog you down…you’re still in college! Live like it! Senior year is your last opportunity to savor the college life, so make the most of it!
Revisit Meaningful Places
You’ve made a lot of meaningful memories on and around campus. Take some time out of your schedule this semester to revisit those places and enjoy them. After graduation, you might not be able to visit them as often as you’d like.
Spend Time with Friends
You’ve made many lifelong friendships at Cumberland. Spend quality time with these individuals during your last semester.
Capture the Moments
Take pictures. Live in the moment. Enjoy each day on campus. And remember: Once a Phoenix, always a Phoenix.
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