How to Prepare for the End of The Semester

By: SSG Emily Niedermeyer

The end of the spring 2023 semester is fast approaching. With classes officially ending on April 19 and finals starting April 21, there are only about 3 and a half weeks left of readings, in-class assignments, final projects and final exams. And at the end of that long road of coursework comes the stressors of preparing for a departure from Boston (if you will not be staying for the summer semester), moving and a limited number of days to cross things off your Boston bucket list.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the end of the semester:

The first thing on every student’s mind is, of course, classes. To prepare for the chaos at the end of the semester, it is always recommended to make a to-do list. It is helpful to lay out each assignment for all your classes in the last couple of weeks; include the due date, time and what course it is for. This way, you know which courses and which tasks to prioritize; this can decrease stress by laying out exactly what you need to complete and when you need to complete it.

Students should really focus on preparing for final assignments early. You do not want to be scrambling to finish projects or study for final exams in the final days or hours before they are due or when they occur. Of course, now is certainly a busy time, but if you come across some free time, it does not hurt to look ahead.

If one is going to be moving off campus or moving home at the end of the semester, you must prepare for that departure. This includes booking tickets or planning out the time and date to be picked up and driven home. Once the details are confirmed, you must consider all your stuff! Can you bring everything from your dorm room or apartment home? Or do you have to put some of your belongings into storage? Northeastern provides student storage; you can box up your belongings and they will take care of picking them up and even dropping them off at the start of the next semester. This provides a convenient opportunity when home is too far for a drive.

If you are staying on campus, you need to confirm your housing for the summer semester; if you get to stay in the same housing as the spring, perfect! If you are moving to alternative housing, you must figure out how you are getting your stuff from one location to the next. Northeastern allows you to use the moving carts for easy transportation, but you must plan for that in advance.

So, what is next? That is up to you. Is there anything else you want to do during your time in Boston? Any places to visit? Any food to try? Any friends to see? If you are departing for the summer, it will be a couple months before returning to the city, so appreciate the time you have here before it comes to a temporary close.

Northeastern University is an amazing school and Boston is an amazing city. Take your time to cherish it and be well prepared for the end of the semester; it makes everything a lot easier in the long run.