The snow will (hopefully) be melting soon and finals are only eight days away. There is so much to think about as the school year winds down, including packing up that dorm room or apartment, and moving on to a new residence this summer.

Start Now – There has to be that one junk drawer, or the bookshelf whose contents have collected dust all year. Start packing up the books, clothes, and other items that you won’t be using anytime soon. It will save work when you have other things to worry about, such as finals.

Use Your Beaver Bucks – Beaver Bucks expire at the end of the semester. Check out the BSU apparel at one of the C3 Stores or stock up on junk food for the ride home. You’ve paid for them; you might as well use them!

Do Something Good – Gather all of those leftover cans of food and boxes of instant noodles that you won’t be eating and take them to a worthy charity, such as the Bemidji Community Food Shelf. They serve over 100 families in the community and are always accepting donations. You could also consider using some Beaver Bucks to buy food for charity.

Donate, Don’t Dumpster! – Used futons, refrigerators, and microwaves take up a huge amount of landfill space and can cause heavy damage to the environment. Look for a donation program on campus instead of tossing old items, or try selling them if you need extra cash.

Sell Your Books – Gas prices are only climbing, so sell your books back and use the money to fill your gas tank before the drive home.

Check Your Vehicle – Perform scheduled maintenance such as changing oil. Ensure that your tires are properly inflated, your washer fluid is full, and that your wiper blades work properly. Having a safe vehicle is a very important in arriving at your destination in one piece.

Study for Finals – Can’t forget this one!