By Meg Maguire
On Groundhog Day 2020 a few weeks back, the infamous Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. According to tradition, this means spring will come early this year! While we welcome the impending warm weather with open arms, we are less welcoming towards another one of spring’s trademarks; spring cleaning. College students, with their hectic lifestyles, often require a deeper cleaning. While this may cause some stress, here are some tips to make the process seamless...
1) Sell last semesters textbook
We all have that one textbook that sits on our shelves collecting dust. Occasionally it topples over, reminding us that it needs to be dealt with. Nevertheless, it's probably still there mocking you today. There are a few ways of tackling this problem. First, selling the textbook to another student who is either currently taking the class or are planning to in future semesters. This can be accomplished by posting on your class's Facebook page. Next, selling the textbook to eCampus. Visit the eCampus website, get a quote for your textbook, ship it with the provided shipping label, and get paid. Lastly, it may be time to get realistic. The fact is your textbook probably isn’t worth the $250 you paid originally. If selling isn’t worth the trouble, donate and support your local library!
2) Update your resume
After spring comes summer, and with summer comes summer internships. To put your best foot forward and give yourself a chance for that dream internship, it's time to revamp your resume. Anything from receiving a certification, landing a part-time job, or discovering a new interest can spark interest from potential employers. Additionally, take another look at your word choice. Make all your verbs action verbs and your adjectives power adjectives. Apart from additions, it may also be time for some subtractions. A general rule of thumb is including only what is relevant to the job you are applying, so it may be time to lose the camp counselor job you had freshman year of high school.
3) Make next semesters game plan
A part of cleaning up the present is planning for the future. Ease your worries by starting early. If studying abroad is on your radar, schedule a visit with the IPO office to discuss your options. If you are staying on campus, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor and sort out which requirements you have left to take. Getting a head start will alleviate anxieties about the future, spring cleaning your mind in a sense.
Not everyone's version of spring cleaning is the same. Prioritize what you want to be done and break bigger tasks into smaller parts. The process is about self-improvement and setting up a productive future, not causing added stress. Take your time and have fun with it!