Your College Graduation Checklist
Updated: March 2021
For many seniors, college graduation is right around the corner. So many things to do, so little time.
First things first… finish up your last semester on a high note!
Next, during the first semester of your senior year, review the graduation checklist below.
Then select those items that relate to the graduation ceremony requirements on your campus:
- Complete your final course requirements on time (by the deadline). Any delays and/or outstanding course requirements could jeopardize your participation in the graduation ceremonies.
- Then, review, with your academic adviser, your degree audit during the first semester of your last year. Make certain you have completed all college/university general education and major requirements.
- If you’re a financial aid recipient of federal and/or institutional loans, then you must complete a loan exit interview, preferably in person in the Student Financial Aid office.
- If you’ve had federal college work-study jobs and/or campus employment positions, ask your supervisor for a letter of recommendation.
- Lived in off-campus housing and/or your own apartment? If you plan to leave after graduation, then you should review your lease and make adjustments accordingly.
More to do?!… Yup!
- In addition, leave a forwarding address at the Campus Mail Center or with the Alumni office.
- While at the Alumni office, also check out their deals on short-term insurance programs, i.e. health and car insurance.
- And also make sure you create a resume profile with your campus Career Center. Take advantage of their free job search resources and human resource services like resume writing and interviewing techniques training. Doing so after you graduate can be costly if you use private resources.
- And don’t forget to make copies of all your important documents such as promissory notes, housing financial aid, final exams. Keep them in one file and for easy access, ideally store them in the cloud. Also add to that list a couple of copies of your official college/university academic transcript.
- Next, create an updated reference and friends’ contact list. Just in case you may need to make future contact, request information like email, cell phone, home and/or office contact information.
- And last, send a hand-written thank you note to everyone on and off-campus who contributed to your graduation success. The act of writing a thank you note itself signifies your sincere appreciation of their support and encouragement throughout your college experience. Plus, it helps you to establish a reliable professional network.
- Above all, either stop by the Bursar/Comptroller’s office and/or check your online student account record to make sure you do not have any outstanding charges and/or balances.
The above graduation checklist is just a set of recommendations for you to consider.
Also, tweak and/or add to each recommendation as you see fit.
During this time, you’ll really want to make life simpler for yourself given the last minute hustle and bustle of family gatherings.
So, take action, create that checklist, and enjoy the festivities of the day!
Congratulations and have a great time celebrating your enormous accomplishment!
#college #graduation #commencement #collegestudent
A Word to the Wise...
An Academic Pearl of Wisdom
Whenever a college student faces an academic and/or social challenge, they often ask a peer or a friend first for advice.
And that’s okay.
However, resolving the issue to your best advantage often requires consulting with an academic advising professional as well.
Your academic adviser knows the campus academically, administratively, and socially.
And what they don’t know, they can point you to the person who does know. Include this strategy in your current plan for college success.
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