We don’t need to tell you how emotional this semester’s going to be; I’m sure seniors have been feeling the weight of that since winter break started. How do you even begin to say goodbye to the people who have been your family and the place that has been your home for the past four years of your life? Well, we’ve got some ideas to help you with that. Here are 10 activities to check off your list during your final semester at St. Joseph’s College.
1. Snap a picture with the mascot.
Whether you roam the same halls as Vandy or you share a nest with Hot Wyngz, this semester marks your last chance to get a picture with your campus’ beloved mascot. Trust me, you’re going to want it when you’re older (the day after you graduate) and missing your #CollegeYears.
2. Attend Alternative Spring Break.
You could spend your last spring break in a daze with the same people you’ve been hanging out with since freshman year. Or you could spend it doing something meaningful, like going on a service trip where you’ll create new friendships and meaningful memories that will last a lifetime (and won’t make you cringe when you think back on them).
3. Visit the Office of Career Preparation and Professional Development, and get ready for life post-St. Joseph’s.
By now, you should know whether you want to continue on to graduate school or enter the workforce. No matter what your plans are after St. Joseph’s, the Office of Career Preparation is here to help you prepare.
“If you have not yet visited the Office of Career Preparation (SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island) or attended any of our events, don’t worry — it isn’t too late,” said Ellen Burti, director of the Office of Career Preparation at SJC Brooklyn. “Make an appointment to discuss your post-graduation plans; whether they include graduate school or job searching, we can help.”
Stop by for assistance with your résumé, tips on writing a cover letter, help preparing for interviews (with potential employers or potential graduate schools) and more.
4. Take advantage of all the free stuff on campus.
The gym. The food. The daily events during common hour. The sports games. Did we mention the food? These things don’t come free once you graduate from college. So make the most of them while they’re still available to you.
5. Befriend your professors.
Especially the ones in your major. Professors have experience in the field you want to work in. Don’t be afraid to ask them about it after class! Check when they have office hours, and make it a point to stop by. Not only can they tell you more about the field you want to enter, but they can also be a reference when you start applying — either to jobs or to graduate programs. These connections are great to have, so make sure you keep in touch after graduation.
6. Make use of your student discount while you still can.
Ranging from eateries around campus to companies like Apple and Geico, several businesses offer St. Joseph’s students discounts on their products. Take advantage of all the discounts while your student ID still means something. Click here for the list of SJC Brooklyn discounts and here for the list of SJC Long Island discounts.
7. Meet the president.
If you haven’t done so already, make it a point to meet St. Joseph’s College President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. If he’s not in his office, he can usually be found at one of the many events around campus — or teaching a course on music.
“When you’re with the students, it helps you to remember why you got into this field,” Dr. Boomgaarden said at SJC Long Island’s “Pancakes with the President” event last year. “And sometimes, you can forget that if you’re in the office all day and you just have one meeting after another. For me, I think it’s important to connect with the students.”
Our president is a pretty cool guy: He’s plays numerous musical instruments, including the piano, fiddle and banjo; has a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do; is a certified yoga instructor; and many times rides his motorcycle to campus.
So if you see him at an event or around the halls, don’t be afraid to say hello and introduce yourself!
8. Go to Gala/the Student Government Formal.
Even if you don’t feel like spending the money. Even if you don’t want to go. Even if you can think of a million other excuses. Get your friends together, get dressed up for the night and go have fun! It’s the best way to let go of the stress from finals, forget about what’s coming next and just let loose with your friends a little while creating new memories — some of the final (and perhaps best) memories you will create together during your time at St. Joe’s.
9. Visit the Center for Wellness if you start feeling overwhelmed.
You’ve got a lot going on this final semester. You still have classes and exams, you’re working on finalizing your plan for the next chapter in life and you’re trying to take on so much, all while trying not to have a massive panic attack about the fact that your life’s about to majorly change. It’s a lot, and it can quickly get overwhelming. If you start feeling like you can’t even, stop by the center for wellness. Even if it’s just for a meditation workshop or yoga class. To learn more about the counseling and wellness services available, click here for SJC Brooklyn and here for SJC Long Island.
10. Take a pic with your friends at the St. Joseph’s College sign.
Then make it a tradition every time you come back to visit the campus. You’ll end up with a bunch of fun photos to look back on and see how much has changed since you graduated!
